Each year, thousands of children participate in Christmas Parties organized by churches, projects, and volunteers connected to the Viva network. These events are filled with excitement and joy for the children, where they receive a present, a nutritious meal, and the affirmation that they are loved and valued.
Purpose and Impact
The Christmas Parties are designed to bring together children from diverse backgrounds, churches, and organizations for a day of celebrating God’s love and care. During these events, children hear the Christmas story and learn valuable lessons. Local churches specifically reach out to the most vulnerable children in their communities to ensure as many as possible have the opportunity to attend.
Who is Acting Collectively?
The Christmas Parties serve as an excellent introduction to collective action, especially for networks in the beginning stages or for new churches and organizations joining the network. Often, these parties are the first collaborative program undertaken by a network or new network members. The annual continuation of these events helps reach more children and allows new members to engage actively and experience collaboration at a fundamental level. As the parties grow, they increase the network’s visibility and provide an excellent opportunity to invite officials, authorities, and the media.
What Do Viva Christmas Parties Look Like?
Viva Christmas Parties typically include:
- A hot lunch
- Fun activities such as games, music, performances, songs, dancing, storytelling, and puppetry
- A gift for each child to take home, ensuring they feel loved and valued
For many children, whose parents may struggle to provide for their basic needs, the entertainment aspect of these parties is a significant highlight.
Educational and Spiritual Elements
All parties include an opportunity for children to learn about God’s love and the Christmas story. For many children and their families, this might be the first time they hear about Jesus. Since many children who attend do not go to school or lack exposure to valuable life lessons, organizers use the parties to teach these lessons in fun and interactive ways, including puppetry, drama, and songs. Themes have included:
- Child protection and caring for children
- Child leadership
- The importance of education
- Promoting the Good Treatment Campaign or laying foundations to launch the campaign in the future
Building Community and Collaboration
These events are not just parties but gateways to building and sustaining life-changing support for children. They also serve as a practical demonstration of how churches and organizations can collaborate to achieve something greater than they could alone. This simple one-day joint activity fosters trust, confidence, and respect among participants, leading to positive experiences and encouraging further collective action. By bringing together diverse groups and focusing on the well-being of children, Viva Network Zimbabwe Christmas Parties embody the spirit of unity and compassion, making a lasting impact on both the children and the community.
