Refu-Gee We had Lots of Fun!

Sophie, Kanika and Sheila joined about 25 other volunteers to help at a Xmas Party being put on by Debra Jonckers in conjunction with St Mary's Church, for the children of asylum seekers and refugees. What an amazing operation!. Around 80 children and their families were invited. Sheila and Sophie helped with the set-up, and then Kanika come to take over from Sophie just before the families arrived. Sheila helped with registering the children as they arrived, gave them name stickers and divided them into 8 groups. There were 8 'stations' - each one had a different actvity - making cards, lanterns, decorating biscuits, playing games or listening to a story. The groups each had about 15 mins at each station. Kanika was an actvity leader on the table decorating Christmas stockings, and Sheila was leading the red group around. There was plenty of glue, glitter and icing flying around, and the language barrier did not prevent everyone enjoying themselves. At the end, everyone sang 'Silent Night' (in 3 different languages simultaneously!), and this was followed by a feast of freshly-barbequed burgers, pizza and garlic bread. As the families left, each child was given a present, some sweets, and a bauble. The food and gifts were all donated by Spin Master, and they also provided many of the volunteers. What an afternoon! It was great to be able to show that the refugees are welcome in our community. We were all exhausted by the end, but the children had a great time, and lots of the parents had obviously enjoyed it too. The happy band of volunteers took no time at all to restore the church to it's clean and tidy condition. Thanks to Sophie for the Report Title!