Every Child is Your Child call for Christmas solidarity and support

Every Child is Your Child call for Christmas solidarity and support

Every Child is Your Child has put out the call for public support in showing Christmas solidarity, compassion, and love to children who feel forgotten

Every Child is Your Child (ECIYC) has called on the public to support their Christmas call for showing solidarity, compassion, and love to children who feel forgotten and are spending this Christmas in International Protection Accommodation Service centres across Ireland.

The group say, “This Christmas, thousands of children across Ireland will wake up in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres, far from home, far from family, and far from the sense of safety every child deserves.

“Many of these children have fled war, conflict, hunger, or persecution. They have crossed borders and oceans hoping to reach a place where they can simply grow, learn, play and dream again.

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“But recently, what they’ve been met with are protests, hostility, and messages of ‘you’re not welcome’. Instead of hearing joy and laughter, many hear fear. Instead of seeing decorations and celebration, they see people shouting outside their windows.”

The group has called for support this Christmas, highlighting that no child should face the situation they have outlined, no child should hear messages of hate, reiterating, “Not at Christmas. Not ever”.

The fundraiser set up by ECIYC aims to show solidarity, compassion, and love to children who feel forgotten, they say each donation will help provide Christmas gifts that remind children they are cherished; Warm clothing and essentials for the winter months; Care packages with messages of hope and welcome; and Small moments of joy that every child deserves.

They said, “At a time when hate is being shouted loudly, this campaign is our collective whisper of love. A reminder that: Ireland’s heart is larger than fear; compassion outweighs cruelty; and the true spirit of Christmas is belonging, generosity, and humanity.

They added, “These children will remember kindness. They will remember the people who reached out. They will remember that strangers chose love over hate.”

All of the money raised will go to help families living in IPAS accommodation, with the group asking people to “donate what you can, even the smallest gift becomes part of something bigger”.

Other ways to support include sharing the campaign and to “spread the message that every child deserves joy and hope this Christmas”.