A Christmas party in Burkina Faso

“When nights are cold and dawn is much colder,” says 14-year-old Ozias. “When there is freezing wind, when our skin cracks and our mothers insist that we use lip balm, and when we do not have to wake up early for school, then we know it’s Christmas season!”

December is one of the coldest months in Burkina Faso, with temperatures dropping below 15°C. Across Compassion projects, it is also one of the busiest months as staff work hard to make Christmas celebrations special.

A day to remember 

The children are the first to arrive, smartly dressed in the new clothes they received a few days before. This is an opportunity for a final rehearsal before their parents arrive and the party starts. 

Meanwhile in the kitchen, the staff are busy cooking hot spaghetti, rice, fish and meat. There are also homemade juices made from local bissap (a species of hibiscus) and ginger.

When everything is in place everyone gathers in the church and the children proudly perform their songs, plays and verses they’ve been practicing for many months. When the performances are finished the pastor gives a Christmas message, before the children and parents gather to share a meal together.

Discover more … Over 7,000 Compassion projects will be hosting parties this year. Find out how children celebrated last year by visiting our blog.