Little Leena’s joy in her shoebox gifts

So she was adopted by an incredible woman called Maria whose tiny home is full of love and joy and life.

Maria looks after 11 other children and when each one received a shoebox full of presents delivered by Operation Christmas Child they were almost speechless with excitement.

What was even more endearing was the way they shyly shared their unexpected gifts.

For little Leena, the real pleasure seemed to be admiring her sisters’ boxes and enjoying all the treasures they contained.

You can light up a child’s life by taking part in Operation Christmas Child. It’s run by the charity Samaritans’s Purse and the Herald&Post is proud to be a drop-off point.

All you have to do is fill a shoebox with little gifts.

Decide whether you’d prefer to send one to a girl or boy, then select one of three age groups. Suggestions for items are contained in a leaflet available at our Upper St George Street office. For more information visit www.samaritans-purse.org.uk