By Gretchen Dellett | Design by Ana Camere
Like all children, sponsored kids love the holidays. Here's a peek into the way they're celebrating where your child lives.
It's said the Philippines has the world's longest Christmas season. Christmas carols start playing in September, and festive displays are everywhere, like this lighted tree in Tabaco.
Look at these fun, brightly colored lanterns! Called parols, they're a uniquely Filipino tradition.
What's a holiday without family and food? Filipino families typically attend a midnight Mass and follow it with a big "Noche Buena" feast.
Roosters and drama prevail in Central and South America. You'll see lots of Nativity plays, and the Christmas Eve service, called the Misa de Gallo, or Rooster Mass, is a big draw.
Many homes feature a pesebre, or manger. (Though we're not sure how many feature a frog, like this one at one of our community centers.)
Santa can show up just about anywhere!
Our kids sure are crafty! Paper and glue make the holidays bright at this community center in Ecuador.
Teens and the mall are a perfect match! These youth in the Dominican Republic would love to know what's in those giant boxes.
Christmas in Zambia takes place during the summer, but people still celebrate with decorating trees, caroling and gifts.
It's a happy ho-ho-holiday at our community center in Lusaka!
Friends always make the holidays more fun!
In India, Christmas is celebrated more than you might think.
Bada bing, bada din! Known as bada din, or "the big day," it's a time for gift-giving and reflection.
These youth in Kolkata enjoyed decorating their community center (and themselves).
