Christmas cheer

We had a truly festive season here over the Christmas break. We hope you and your loved ones also had an enjoyable time.

As always, we enjoyed an exciting lead up to our celebrations. We started with the distribution of decorations to each dormitory for our now famous dormitory decoration competition for our residential women and children. Every year they amaze us with their creativity and imaginations. They all receive a selection of similar items but every dorm ends up with own unique style and personality. Highlights this year included a ‘real’ baby Jesus, Christmas carols, real fires and snowstorms but what impressed most was the attention to detail in making their own snowmen, Nativity scenes and tree decorations.

Two Christmas activity sessions gave them the opportunity to create more festive décor, from Christmas crackers and cards to baubles and Christmas themed colouring pictures.

For the first time the decision was just too difficult for our judging panel so we are inviting you to vote on which is your favourite dormitory. Please do virtually visit our dorms through the video and cast your vote for your choice via Instagram or Facebook.

Excitement levels increased on Christmas Eve with the last day of school before the holiday and a special celebration in our Snehalaya English Medium School (SEMS). Our younger students entertained with dances followed by a special visit from Santa Claus. It was a very festive send off.

Finally it was the big day with all residents, including staff children, waking to a stocking delivered by Santa as they slept. All came together to greet Santa who along with his elf helpers distributed dorm gifts to all and even gave a small show . It was then time to board our buses for lunch at a local hotel where we had the run of the lawn to enjoy fun, games and music. We spent the whole afternoon with activities including face-painting, sumo races and a lucky dip ensure everyone received at least one individual gift.

Once again our residents enjoyed a truly magical day with our Snehalaya family and festive visitors. We are incredibly grateful to all who contribute to making it such a special day but would like to say a special thank you to donoros, Aart Wakil, Phillip Byrne and Beyond Thapas, and to our volunteers Joyce and Kyle who truly got stuck in helping the women and children to have a sack full of fun.