Child sponsorship for Christmas
A number of children from the SOS Children's Village La Paz, Bolivia took part in an interview to find out what Christmas represents to them. Here Willy (aged 9), Sonia (aged 12), Juan Carlos (aged 6) and Edgar (aged 13) tell us about their Christmas.
Do you get presents on Christmas and who brings the presents to children?
W: The Three Holy Kings (the three Magi)
S: Yes, the person in charge of the house buys them (SOS mother)
JC: Santa Claus
E: Yes, and it is my aunty (SOS mother) who brings it
What's your biggest wish for Christmas? Is there some particular toy you wish for the most?
W: A bicycle
S: An MP4 player
JC: Remote control cars
E: I would like to receive a MP4 player
What was the most beautiful Christmas present you ever received?
W: A robot
S: My bicycle
JC: A car
E: A remote control car
Do you wish for something money can't buy?
W:To again see my father, my mother, and my brothers/sisters
S: That at home, nobody makes my aunt angry
JC: To travel by plane
E: To be closer than ever with my elder brothers
What kind of food are you having for Christmas?
Is there any traditional dish you (your family) prepare for Christmas?
W:"Picana" made of whole corn, chicken and "tunta" (dehydrated white potato)
S: "Sajta" (traditional chicken stew) or broster chicken
JC: "Picana" - which is made of whole corn, chicken and "tunta" (dehydrated white potato)
E: We have different dishes every year
Are you preparing the Christmas meal together (as a family)?
W: Yes, we do it as a group
S: We make small groups to make it. The elder children help my aunt and she cooks something
JC: Yes, I peel the beans
E: Yes, we prepare it together
Are you baking Christmas cookies together (as a family)?
W: Yes, all together
S: No. My aunt makes biscuits and cakes by herself
JC: Yes, all together
E: We don't make cookies
How do you decorate your home for Christmas? How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
W: Bubble lights, ornaments
S: We assemble the Christmas tree with tiny lights and make (Baby Jesus) crib, in a circle of ornaments, and later we place a star
JC: Bubble lights, small trees, multicolour lights, Santa Claus ornaments, bells
E: We put Christmas lights in the house and in a our Christmas tree and other ornaments
Do you prepare home-made Christmas decorations?
W: No
S: Yes
JC: No
E: Yes, we do
Waiting for Baby Jesus or Santa Claus: How do you spend your time BEFORE the gift-giving/giving/exchange of Christmas presents?
W: We put the presents under the Christmas tree
S: We receive our presents, and see what it was
JC: We eat Christmas panettone, milk with hot chocolate
E: Just waiting, watching TV, or some of us help my aunt (SOS mother)
What is it you don't ever want to miss out on Christmas BESIDES Christmas presents?
W: A bicycle and to share with everyone
S: To be together as a family
JC: Of sharing together as one (family)
E: Of sharing with my brothers/sisters
What does a typical day at Christmas look like at your home?
W: Helping our mother
S: We all have a good time watching TV or sharing something
JC: We organise the meal. We set the table
E: Before down, during the afternoon, we have coffee and panettone
Do you sing Christmas carols/songs together? What's your favourite Christmas carol or song?
W: Happy Christmas
S: Not everyone... "Noche de Paz" (Silent Night)
JC: The donkeys
E: Just one
Do you play a musical instrument?
W: The bell
S: Yes, the flute
JC: No
E: No, I don't
Do you make music together (as a family)?
W: Yes
S: No
JC: Yes, we do
E: No, we don't
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