A Christmas with purpose: CLM spreads love and hope with solidarity campaigns in Latin America
In the spirit of the true meaning of Christmas, the Christian Life Movement (CLM) deployed several solidarity campaigns, which spanning Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil and Costa Rica, aim to spread the central message for this season: remember that The center of Christmas is the birth of Jesus.
How were the Christmas campaigns in Peru?
In the Peruvian capital, the CLM Lima carried out six “Christmas is Jesus” campaigns, extending its love and help to places like Pamplona, Manchay and Puente Piedra with nearly 500 volunteers who joined the cause, benefiting around 1000 families.
In addition, a “Bread for my Brother” campaign was carried out that brought the Christmas message to people on the streets. On their Instagram account they show a video summary of the warm Christmas dinner they prepared for them and which featured a musical performance by the group Takillakkta.
They celebrate Christmas with 300 children and 180 families in Chincha
The CLM members of Chincha, a city located south of Lima, announced with joy that they had reached the joyful message of the birth of Jesus to 300 children with the “Navidad es Jesús” (“Christmas is Jesus”) campaigns in addition to helping 180 families through “Caja del Amor” (“Box of Love”).
“Navidad es Jesús” was held in the Lord of Miracles sector, providing support to the Pueblo Nuevo parish. In this noble cause, 40 volunteers from the CLM Chincha participated. In addition, the solidarity action had the valuable support of a group of families from Nazareth de Lima who dedicated themselves to serving 50 children and 25 families in the Grocio Prado district.
Finally, another day was held during which care was provided to 50 children from the Chacarita sector. These children receive regular attention from the “Pan para mi Hermano” (“Bread for my Brother”) service, which is carried out weekly, and on this occasion had the active participation of approximately 10 volunteers.
Campaigns, love boxes and a solidarity dinner in Arequipa
To the south of the country, in the city of Arequipa, the CLM extended its solidarity action with an endearing “solidarity dinner” held by the members who participate in “Xto de la Caridad.”
The “solidarity dinner” in Arequipa is a tradition that began in 2017, intended to provide a special moment to people who work on the streets. More than 100 people benefited from this evening that included a festive dinner, the delivery of clothing, raffles for small gifts and the distribution of 50 bags of groceries, a gift for 50 families in need.
For its part, the Department of Apostolate of Universidad Católica San Pablo (UCSP) organized 8 Christmas campaigns aimed at different low-income areas such as a shelter in the city of Arequipa. Furthermore, for almost ten years the delivery of the “Caja del Amor” (“Box of Love”) has been promoted, which for this occasion reached three locations, two in Arequipa and one in Ayaviri (Puno).
Colombia: The love box benefits 1,771 families in various regions of Antioquia
Throughout 26 deliveries distributed in various places, Caja del Amor has managed to benefit a total of 1,771 families in different regions of the department of Antioquia.
The initiative covered not only the city of Medellín, including commune 13, Belén, Castillo, Bello Oriente, Altos de Oriente, Carpintero, La Avanzada, San Pablo, Popular, Popular 1, Picacho, Aranjuez, El Salvador, Nuevo Oeste, but also also surrounding municipalities such as Envigado, Guarne, Carmen del Viboral, Bello, Turbo, and more distant towns such as Timbiquí in Cauca, Betania, Sahagún in Córdoba, Nueva Colonia in Turbo and Itsmina in Chocó.
It is estimated that more than 150 people actively participated during the campaigns, including 15 permanently linked promoters and 10 logistics volunteers, some of them children of the beneficiaries served in the solidarity centers.
While from the city of Cali, María Paula Arias, who on this occasion led some deliveries, told us that “the joy on the faces of children and grandparents, the excitement of new volunteers and the connection between the beneficiaries and volunteers who have already been on the project, it was unforgettable.”
18 “Navidad es Jesús” festivities benefit 900 families in Costa Rica
CLM held a series of “18 Navidad es Jesús parties”. These events took place in towns in the provinces of San José Cartago and Puntarenas: such as Turrubares, Patarrá, San Diego, Turrialba, León XIII, Los Guido, Paquera, Coronado, Anonos, San Miguel Desamparados, Tirrases, Venezuela, La Carpio, Dulce Nombre and El Fierro.
With the estimated participation of 100 volunteers, these festivities managed to benefit a total of 900 families, leaving a mark of love and hope in every corner that touched the Christmas spirit of the CLM in Costa Rican lands.
Christmas message reaches 2,500 hearts in Ecuador
In Ecuador, the “Navidad es Jesús” campaign reached almost 2,500 beneficiaries. Throughout various deliveries, the initiative spread through the city of Guayaquil, the Daule Canton, Tarifa, and covered the provinces of Azuay, Pichincha and Manabí. The generosity of many people who donated to these campaigns has been key.
In each delivery, Christmas parties were held with the families, which included snacks, songs, occasionally plays and gifts for the children, creating moments of great joy.
Solidarity and hope in Brazil
In Petrópolis, the Christian Life Movement carried out a unique but significant Christmas campaign in Meio da Serra. The initiative managed to benefit 50 families in this community.
In each delivery, a small Christmas party was held, where moments of joy were shared with refreshments, songs, and occasionally plays, making each gesture more than just help, becoming a celebration of solidarity and hope.
On the other hand, in São Paulo, the Christmas spirit was manifested in three significant actions. First, an exciting Christmas party was held for 300 beneficiary children in association with a partner school.
Full of fun and joy, the day included Christmas catechesis, games, a soccer tournament, face painting, and more. In addition, Christmas baskets were delivered to the families of the beneficiaries, with more than 360 baskets distributed along with Panetones. Christmas bags were also delivered, benefiting 300 children with clothing, toys and other items, thanks to donations from people and companies.
Saint Joseph School and the CLM benefit 100 families in Maipú and La Pincoya
In Chile, from “Saint Joseph School” and the CLM, two Christmas campaigns were carried out that joined forces to bring Christmas boxes with products to more than 100 families in vulnerable sectors of Santiago, specifically in Maipú and La Pincoya.
The protagonists were the students, parents of all levels (pre-school, basic and middle school) and some families from the CLM in the mountain area.