CHRISTMAS came early for 60 children in a rural settlement yesterday when the Samaritan Purse dropped in bearing gifts.
Students of Muainaweni Indian School received shoe-size boxes of books, dolls, balls and other toys from families in Australia and New Zealand under the Project Christmas Child.
A project volunteer and pastor at the Central Christian Centre, Jone Soqovale, said more than 1000 children from Lau, Lomaiviti and areas on the two main islands would receive gifts.
Mr Soqovale said the volunteers would take the gifts to the poorest of the poor and Indian dominated communities.
Mr Soqovale said a home to home survey was done to select areas in need.
"One of the ideas behind it is to bridge the racial gap, especially with the turmoil we are going through," he said.
"When you touch children, you touch families.
"This is the fourth year we have gone around distributing gifts - there is nothing higher than making someone happy."
One recipient Sonam Swastika Devi, 12, a Class Eight student, was happy with her gift.
"I like them," she said. "They are all good things.
"I don't know who sent them but I would like to thank them for it."
Madhu Narayan said it would be a bright Christmas for her children aged seven and eight.
"This is the first time for them to receive gifts," she said. "I'll write to the families who sent the gifts and thank them."
Headteacher Jagjendra Prasad said Project Christmas Child was a marvellous idea.
"The gifts are wonderful," he said. "I would like to thank the sponsors.
"These parents face financial difficulties and most can't provide their children with books."