On December 20, 2025, I participated in the seventh “L’Emmanuel parmi nous” (Emmanuel among us), and event organized by the PARI Refugee Shelter of Dakar, where I have been volunteering since 2018, as compatible with my commitments.
The event was dedicated to the children of the refugees, the majority of whom come from the Central African Republic and from the two Congos (Democratic Republic of Congo and Congo-Brazzaville), Benin, Chad, Sudan, Mauritania, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Gabon, and Sierra Leone. But there are also those people indigenous to other regions of Senegal going to the capital in search of better living conditions.
Inspiring hope in the heart of a child, offering him or her the opportunity to burst out laughing, to feel happy, to live peacefully, and to feel at home—isn’t this how we relive Christmas with Baby Jesus in the dark of the stable in Bethlehem? Christmas means celebrating God with us and as one of us.
Beyond the religious practice, Christmas reminds us of the universal values that we all share in one big human family: love, peace, solidarity, respect for others, and brotherhood.
It was so beautiful and moving to hear the spokesperson for the group say that they feel at home in Senegal, with the children spontaneously reciting poems, beginning to sing Christmas songs, doing some dance steps, shouting with joy, and brightening the atmosphere. But I’ll give the floor to some of the participants:
Judith: “I am five years old and I composed a poem to express the pain I felt having to leave my home country, but I found my smile again thanks to the welcome and kindness of the refugee center team.”
Sylvain: “I come from the Central African Republic. I am ten years old and I was living happily in my country with my parents until the day when we had to leave the country and our whole story behind. War and insecurity gained the upper hand, and our lives were in danger, and so my family arrived in Dakar. We give glory to God for having encountered the refugee shelter.”
Corine: “I am Senegalese and I come from the distant region of Kédougou. I was hoping to find a better life in Dakar to provide for myself and my daughter, whom I am raising alone, but my dream became a nightmare. Thanks to the shelter association, I have launched a small commercial business, and I am very happy to participate in this Christmas for the children of refugees.”
The parents accompanying their children also received food and clothing packs, thanks to the generosity of some benefactors, to extend the joy of Christmas to the whole family.
We give thanks to God for these moments of happiness shared with the least.
Sr. Jacqueline COMPAORE, SFP
