In Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, the Christmas season at the orphanage has always been a time of excitement. But this year, our volunteers wanted to give the children something more lasting than just presents under a tree. They wanted to share the profound joy of celebrating the birth of Jesus. As they taught the children about the true meaning of Christmas, a beautiful and heart-wrenching realization emerged: many of the children had never celebrated their own birthday. Some didn’t even know the date they were born.

In that moment, a new tradition was born. The volunteers decided to combine the Christmas celebration with a special birthday party for all the children born in October, November, and December. As the children’s names were called, and they were handed a gift and a slice of birthday cake, looks of pure shock and delight spread across their faces. For many, it was the first time they had ever been the center of such a celebration, the first time their special day had ever been acknowledged.

It was a powerful moment, not just of celebration, but of deep, intentional love. As the volunteers sang “Happy Birthday,” they spoke to the children about how God created each of them with a unique purpose and an immeasurable love. The party became a beautiful reflection of the Christmas story itself — a message that every single life is a precious gift, worthy of being celebrated. Seeing the children’s faces light up with an understanding of their own value was a gift beyond measure for our volunteers.

These are the moments that your support makes possible. You do more than provide a cake or a gift; you give a child the priceless memory of their first birthday party. You help our volunteers create a space where a child can learn that they are seen, they are known, and God deeply loves them. Thank you for helping us bring this incredible joy to the children of Santa Cruz de la Sierra.