On December 18, eight YES alumni visited a home for children with mental and physical disabilities called Hogar Niño Dios, to celebrate Christmas. Hogar Niño Dios, “Home of the God Child,” is a part of the mission of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, an institution under the Vatican.

To start the day, the alumni first met with one of the sisters of the Religious Family of the Incarnate Word, the primary caregivers at Hogar Niño Dios. She explained how the sisters run the home and the children’s health conditions. The sister’s introduction was important as some of the alumni had no prior experience volunteering for children with disabilities.

The alumni then joined the waiting children in the playroom and began greeting them. Once introductions were over, the alumni and the children began the fun activities, such as making snowmen crafts, molding figurines of Santa Claus using playdough, and drawing Christmas trees with crayons. Finally, the alumni blew up balloons and shared a cake with the children. The alumni helped the children eat while singing and dancing to Christmas tunes.

Before leaving, the alumni helped clean up the playroom. When it was time to leave, alumni said goodbye to the children — who followed them to the door! At the end of the day, both the YES alumni and children received some of the best Christmas gifts that life can offer: friendship and quality time with others!