Gifting Warmth, Joy, and Dignity: Christmas Gift Shopping for Instituto Esperanza’s Students
10 days in Mexico for my holiday break? Of course, I was thrilled when my boss, the co-founder of Misión de Caridad Jean Sicurella, suggested this idea. But rather than exploring Mexico City or lounging on the beaches of Cancun, Jean and I stayed in the community Misión de Caridad serves: a border town in San Luis Río, Colorado. While immersing myself in Misión de Caridad’s community and culture, I quickly recognized the organization’s value of dignity. Beyond providing access to education, medical care, healthy groceries, and clean water, Misión de Caridad seeks to make students feel seen and known. During my time in Mexico, I had the chance to help put together personalized Christmas presents for every student enrolled in MdC’s school, Instituto Esperanza.
Luis Antonio was so excited to receive his gift and note from his family sponsor.
The process of buying, packaging, and gifting Christmas gifts for 56 students began all the way back in November. Through the generosity of donors, each student’s gift was sponsored. Because winters in the community grow cold (as low as the 30’s in the winter) and many homes lack proper insulation or heaters, staying warm can pose many challenges. A warm jacket and matching cold gear was the perfect base for each students’ gift package.
The next steps grew more complicated as we ordered different styles and sizes for everyone’s coats, gloves, and hats. Because the items were ordered from several different retailers, including Old Navy, Gap, Children’s Place, and JCPenney, many came as individual packages and as a result, we tracked and coordinated a surprisingly high number of shipments. The items were shipped to Arizona where an MdC intern cataloged each item. Through many car rides and international border crossings (its own adventure crossing with a vehicle full of gifts), MdC staff moved the clothes from Arizona to Casa Esperanza.
For the toy portion of the gifts, teachers asked their students to write a wishlist with gifts under $25 they would like to receive. Then it was time for shopping! We split the students between five staff members, providing the shoppers with the students’ names and wishlists. After many hours spent scouring through stores on both sides of the border, we checked item after item off the 56 wishlists. These gifts ranged from baby dolls, remote control cars, soccer balls, baseball gloves, sweaters, and boots, to bracelet kits, perfume, and other very specific items. Beyond providing students with gifts, MdC sought to give each student something special they had requested and would truly cherish. I found this thoughtful and personal approach to gift giving another example of how MdC serves the San Luis Río community with dignity.
Santiago proudly displays the toy cars he asked for.
Once we purchased all of the items and toys, the laborious and meticulous task of organizing and distributing the toys while keeping them a secret from the students and staff began. Through reading off names and identifying family numbers, we distributed the items into large gift bags. Despite a few mix ups and confusion with similar names, including sorting the items for Jana and Hanna who are both preschool girls, we eventually matched each student with their appropriate clothes and toys. We distributed fun additions such as funky socks, hair bows, washcloths, and chocolate into each bag as well. The last touch was personalized cards from the donors who had sponsored each child.
Jonathan reads the card from his sponsor before opening his gift.
During MdC’s last Super Saturday event of the year, the MdC staff organized a day full of delicious tamales, Christmas-themed bingo, raffled gifts, and a fantastic holiday celebration. At the end of Super Saturday, the students were called up by grade and their teachers gave them their gift bags. Immediately, Casa Esperanza filled with wide smiles and giddy anticipation as students eagerly ripped open their bags. They could not wait to try on their cozy jackets and examine their new toys.
Beyond providing daily access to education, healthy meals, and clean water, MdC is fostering community and extending love and care to an often unseen community. While watching a boy excitedly pulling on his new spiderman hat and a third grader giddily showing off her new art set, I saw the importance of not just meeting physical needs, but of celebrating people and reminding them they are cherished and valued.