The Edge Foundation distributed hundreds of Christmas gifts

The Edge foundation distributed hundreds of Christmas gifts to poor and needy children, families and widows.

Most of the gifts were distributed among Christian families working at brick kilns. The work is exhausting and badly paid, and most families are trapped in bonded labour – having taken out loans from their employers to buy food, they have been left with debts they can’t afford to pay.

Happily, the gifts provided a time of Christmas joy and thanksgiving. As well as receiving much-needed provisions, the families were reminded that they are not alone because we remember them in our hearts and in our prayers.

Gifts were distributed to families and children at six bricks kilns in the districts of Kasur and Raiwind and also to Sunday school children in Lahore. And some financial assistance was given to the struggling families of Christians who are in prison having been falsely accused of blasphemy.

Unfortunately, we had not been able to prepare packages for everyone. When the children who were to receive gifts heard their names called out, they laughed and jumped for joy. But my colleagues noticed the sad faces of the children who had been left out – so they dug deep and managed to find something for every child who was there.

300 children at brick kilns received a package containing sweets, dried fruit, peanuts and savoury snacks.

100 Sunday school and orphan children in Lahore received Christmas packages – one child from every family was selected so that no family was left out.

500 parents at brick kilns received packages containing essential food stuff, including flour, tea, sugar, cooking oil, rice and lentils.

Financial assistance was given to the families of Christians who have been imprisoned on false blasphemy charges (this is a widespread problem in Pakistan that affects people of all faiths).

All families expressed their sincere thanks for the gifts they received – and asked us to thank you for sharing your blessings.