Operation Christmas Child gives children of all ages in schools a great opportunity to share gifts that are personal to them with some of the poorest and most marginalised children in the world.
Every year thousands of schools take part in Operation Christmas Child. We have put together a number of resources to help schools that take part.
Simple and fun to do
Mungo's new home is an illustrated story about the journey Mungo the bear makes as he travells from a toy shop to a shoe box heading for Liberia.
Children love filling shoe boxes. Every year it gives them their own special project where they can decide the age of the boy or girl they wish to support.
Choosing gifts and wrapping them in a shoe box is a fun and rewarding activity – especially when children know that the gifts in their boxes will be used and treasured for years to come.
Many children are amazed when they discover that their shoe box could be the first Christmas present that a child in the poorest parts of the world have ever received.
Online School Assemblies
In partnership with Christian education charity, The Damaris Trust, we have two Online School Assemblies. Using popular DVDs, music and Bible passages, this material is ideal for presenting Operation Christmas Child in a fresh and challenging way in an assembly or classroom situation.
Primary School Assembly – The power of a simple gift
This assembly uses the film Toy Story 2 to show that the power of a simple gift depends on how it is received and the attitude of the giver.
Click here to view this assembly.
Secondary School Assembly – The gift that gives both ways
This uses the film Finding Neverland to highlight how an Operation Christmas Child shoe box rewards both the giver and the receiver.
Click here to view this assembly.
These assemblies can be viewed and downloaded by clicking on the links above or by visiting www.assembliesonline.com and looking in the free showcase section.
Use Operation Christmas Child to enhance the National Curriculum
Many schools are using Operation Christmas Child to enhance pupils' understanding and practical application of PSHE/Citizenship in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
At KS1, Operation Christmas Child gives children a chance to play an active role as citizens and learn more about other people's needs and their responsibilities. It helps to teach children the similarities and differences between people.
At KS2, Operation Christmas Child helps children learn about other people in other countries with different values and customs. It also helps them make choices and decisions about how to respond to a need through a contribution to charity.
Operation Christmas Child helps children to:
• play an active role as citizens
• reflect on spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues
• become more socially aware
• develop responsibility
• value diversity
• focus on justice
• develop a sense of conscience
• help children in great need around the world
• connect and unite with children around the world
• engage with the geography and history of another country
• realise how much can be achieved through a simple act of generosity
Some quotes from teachers and pupils about their experiences of taking part on Operation Christmas Child
“The year six children enjoyed learning about the operation – the way the boxes got there, who they went to. We researched a lot about the lives of others in selecting what went in each box. I really saw them develop empathy and the ability to put themselves in someone else's shoes as they discussed their selections.”
Primary School Teacher
“It is so good for the children to give with no expectation of a gift in return. Over the years we've learned about the tragic situations in other countries through watching the Operation Christmas Chld videos and are thrilled to see the joy that shoe boxes give. We always have a service of blessing for our shoe boxes so all the local churches can get involved.”
Primary School Headteacher
“When I saw the DVD for the shoe box appeal, I was so sad for the children who never had a toy before. The children with no home, living in an orphanage, with no mum or dad. It felt heartbreaking and I was about to cry. I was pleased and happy for this chance to help them. It felt lovely going to buy paper, pencils and toys. I wrapped the shoe box up in paper and I did 5 of them. I felt very proud taking them to school, thinking of the children opening their presents. I also thought about my luck, being given the chance to do this.”
Primary School Pupil
Click here to download the OCC PowerPoint Presentation, expaining Gift Ideas and How to pack your box.