Christmas at my home

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Ersjona is nine years old and lives with her family in Lezha, Albania. Like most children around the world, Christmas is a time of magic and celebration for Ersjona, and she always looks forward to spending time with her family. For her, the most important part of the holiday is that even the poorest children can come together with family or school friends and enjoy the festivities. “The Christmas season is magic and there is love to be shared by every child,” says Ersjona excitedly.

We recently asked Ersjona to write a letter to sponsors in the UK, explaining what Christmas means to her, and how she celebrates with her family. Below was her response:

Dear Sponsors,

Celebrating Christmas is the greatest joy of mine. I love it because it brings snow and the snow is white and I like the colour white! I love it, and together with my little brother Lion, who is seven, we sing round the Christmas tree. We even sing in our room while we do our homework.

I really enjoy preparing all the food for Christmas with my mum. We make cakes with cream and chocolate, and other sweets like baklava. We also put together dishes like meat and salads with vegetables.

But most of all I love how Christmas brings my parents together. My mum works in a factory and looks after me and Lion while my father has to live in Greece where he works building houses. I love it so much that we can get together at Christmas, eat delicious food, share laughs and wake up on Christmas morning together as one family!

I love Christmas also because I love presents! This Christmas I've asked Santa for a doll and I want her to look like a ballerina as I love dancing and would love to become a ballerina myself one day.

But I also really want to tell you how I see the perfect Christmas. I am dressed in white like a princess. I have a magic wand and I have the power to make every wish come true! So I give presents, big ones, to all the children around the world. The gifts put smiles on their faces and as they become happier and happier I shine brighter and brighter! I love dreaming of this but I am not done with the wishes. I have another one. This year I also wish to have a better school. I'd love it to have white tiles, as I like white, and a better front door! Thank you Santa!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year!

With love, Ersjona

Ersjona lives in World Vision's Lezha Area Development Programme. She's thriving at school and especially enjoying her English lessons. This advent World Vision is talking to children around the world about how they're celebrating Christmas. As well as writing a letter, Ersjona and her classmates also filmed a festive video of themselves singing a traditional Albanian Christmas song. You can see other videos from children we work with around the world in our interactive Advent calendar here.

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