Christmas Reflections

This is an editorial by Andrew Cates, CEO of SOS Children.

I always have mixed feelings about Christmas Appeals. Even as a child, and so much more as a parent I have come to regard Christmas as a time of giving, not receiving. Christmas is a time for surprises and for thanking people, not for asking for more.

Admittedly, it is slightly more difficult working for an international children's charity because I know that when we do not ask, children in real need may not get and I wonder if we should set aside our shyness and join with all the other charities asking endlessly for funds. But we haven't sent out broad appeals for years and are not sending out a Christmas appeal this year. Supporters have increasingly respected our charity for our politeness and respect to them and I do not see that this should change.

I was the sixth child in a large family, and hated being served last at family meals. James Hudson Taylor was also the smallest of a large family. In his biography is a delightful passage about when as a young boy at the meal table he once was completely forgotten in the commotion and was left staring at his empty place in front of him as his siblings tucked in around him. A model of good behaviour, and not wanting to ask, he waited and waited for a lull in the conversation and then said "Mother, do you think food is good for little boys?".

How I wish my manners had ever come close to this standard and how I wish more children today understood the value of politeness. All I can do as my contribution today is stick to saying thank you. Thank you to the thousands of sponsors who supported our work throughout the year, and continued paying even when things became difficult. Thank you to the thousands more who started new sponsorships to help orphans abroad in the midst of a recession, who gave child sponsorships as Baptism presents, Christmas presents and wedding presents. Thank you for everyone who remembered us in their wills or sent us money during the year, or who worked as unpaid volunteers in our office to help keep our costs low. Thank you to those who organised events for us, ran marathons and half marathons for us, wore something WOW for world orphan week, thank you to the International Friendship League for financing a new village in Chipata. Thank you to our professional team in the office who have put themselves second to their work time and again. Everyone who has helped support us simply motivated by providing a mother's love to a lone child deserves our heartfelt thanks and praise and all across 124 countries there are 70,000 young children being kissed goodnight in a proper bed by an SOS Mother who loves them all thanks to you.

See our Christmas page, where you can sponsor a child, buy a christmas card, buy a calendar, send a free e-card, or buy one of our other gifts available

Andrew Cates