What are you getting your kids for Christmas? For your mom? For your boyfriend? What are you looking forward to receiving? Admittedly, we always get a little money at Christmas time from family and we use it for the "extra" in life. Maybe we put it towards our vacation budget, a new pair of unnecessary shoes, or some kitchen gadget. I definitely don't put it towards my kids' lunches, money for the bus, or necessary clothes for my kids.

In our last wire to the group we work with in Uganda, we sent some extra money to be shared among them as their Christmas gifts from Noonday (which means, YOU, because YOU are Noonday. Your purchases are what make this possible). I asked Jalia, the coordinator of the group and my dear sister, to share what each artisan will do with the money. Tears rolled down my face as I read their responses.

Careb:  "Thank you! I have bought 2 cooking pans. Iam surely going
to enjoy my Christmas!"

Bukenya: "Thank you so much, we are praying for you. I am
going to buy food, chicken, and matooke. i also want to send some food
to my relatives. Merry Christmas!"

Nalongo: "I am going to buy good food
for my children. Meat, chicken and soda. I am going to buy my
daughter a dress too. Thanks a lot."

Latifa:  "I am so happy, I am going to eat good food for
Christmas. I am going to use it also for transport to visit my mum.AND
take some food for her!"

Gatrude: "May God bless you, I am going to buy myself a nice Gomesi (a dress) and i am going to buy good food. Thanks."

Rosset: "Thanks so much. I am going to buy very good food
and a dress for wearing to church."

Aida: "This money will help me pay my daughter's hospital bills."

Robert used the money to travel home to
see his wife and children, she hadn't seen them for six months.

      Nalwanda (pictured below. Her parents both died of AIDS and one of our other artisans, Maama Jabal, now cares for her. She helps makes beads after school which enables her to attend school): "I am going to by myself some shoes for school."

  Maama Jabal: "I am going to buy chicken and matooke for my children to enjoy Christmas"

And from the Daniel and jalia. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
We got ourselves a Christmas tree, The children love it.