The moment you have all been waiting for…..CHRISTMAS MORNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Preparations began two weeks in advance as Tina and Lieke from RFI individually wrapped each child’s present according to their age, height, weight and where possible personality! It doesn’t take long to form friendships with these very special children as each of them have very endearing characteristics about their personality! The house turned to chaos as bags and bags of clothes, toys and books all arrived from Mauritius all marked with “special attention for Catja and Fanatenane!”. Being involved was very exciting and I was personally touched by just how much Alexandra House had contributed!

On the day, I woke up at 04:30am to load the presents onto my sleigh! Stephanie and Fabriola assisted me as my little elves and off we went at 05:30 to Catja! Two minutes before arriving we phoned the Director who assisted by gathering all of the children in the garden….shortly afterwards, we came hooting down the drive way with our festive cheer and a car full of “surprises”..the moment THEY had all been waiting for! Each child was called up to the sleigh one by one to receive their personalised present. Once all children had a gift the unwrapping began! See the photos of all the children as they unwrap, try on clothes, munch on sweeties, and show off their new toys! An exciting moment for all, and a novel experience to receive gifts in this manner.

At 06:45, we headed to our next delivery stop. You may not all know this but there are two very small orphanage care centres in Mananjary that cater for children with physical and mental disabilities, or children whose parents cannot afford to provide education and nutrition; Tsarazaza and Akany Fanantenana. These two orphanages have 26 and 37 children respectively. As all the children at Alexandra House were so generous this year, we decided..why not extend our thoughts to those children also in need and send some of the gifts to these very special children as well! These two orphanages do not receive a lot of outside support and were so happy when we delivered the presents again individually wrapped for each child. Children at Tsarazaza prepared a special local dance to say a BIG THANK YOU to you all…some children though were so excited that they couldn’t finish their dance and had to rush to open their presents!

The final stop was Fanatenane…we began with the babies as we waited for the older children to return from Church. Whilst the little ones are perhaps too young to understand, it gave enjoyment to the staff as they dressed the children in their new tiny clothes. When the rest of the children arrived it was manic; all children gathered by the car eagerly awaiting their gifts! Again we have provided some photos for your enjoyment such that you can see the delight and excitement of children far away opening presents that were specially arranged by yourselves!

I can honestly say that all of your efforts and support have truly made a very special Christmas for over 200 children this year at: Catja, Fanatenane, Tsarazaza, and Akany Fanantenana! A big THANK YOU to all involved; lets hope this friendship blossoms into the new year as we maintain our thoughts and link between the children here in Mananjary with those in Mauritius.

See below as some of the kids say a personal thank you to ALEXANDRA HOUSE!

Finally, I think a warm hug and thank you is due to both Jeremy and Cathy Lewis and their two children Nicholas and Charlotte whose personal passion and involvement for this cause is something of note.

Party time!

The time had arrived…it was party time for all children at Catja and Fanatenane! Both orphanages were treated to a special three-course xmas meal on behalf of Ripple Fish as a gesture of friendship and support for all their hard work and efforts this past year in caring for so many children. Food, drinks, cake and party items were all prepared in advance ready for the big day, and children dressed in their best party clothes looking forward to the festivities!

On behalf of Ripple Group, Tina Smith prepared a special speech for each orphanage to explain the link between Ripple Group, Alexandra House in Mauritius and the two orphanages; a chance to reiterate the importance of this friendship and why we want to help. The mere mention of a “special surprise” arriving on xmas morning on behalf of Alexandra House and Ripple Group was enough to cause cheers of laughter and happiness in the crowds! In return, both Fanatenane and Catja had individually prepared a special show by way of a huge thank you to all the kids in Maurtius for thinking of them at xmas.

Fanatenane prepared a special Nativity of sorts; children made their own party hats, stood side by side on a stage near the xmas tree singing, dancing, reading poems and playing the guitar! It was beautiful to watch and children went to a lot of effort to show their appreciation.

 Catja too prepared a wonderful show! The garden was transformed into an arena of entertainment; xmas tinsel around the tree, balbals, music and karaoke, and a Journalist from TV Plus! The journalist was interested to hear about our activities on the day and the link between the children in Mauritius; in discussion special reference was made to Alexandra House for all of their kind work and efforts into making xmas special for the children here in Mananjary. The journalist watched and filmed as the children prepared special dances and songs for us, played in their new tent all the way from Mauritius and learnt how to play snakes and ladders! A special moment for all was when everyone gathered around the big xmas tree in the garden, linked arms and danced in circles around the tree singing “silent night!” (in English).

Dancing and singing continued into the afternoon; children of all ages performed perfectly choreographed displays of entertainment and we were all so impressed by not only their talents but by their endeavour to please and make the day enjoyable for all!