Bringing the Christmas message to primary schools

At the end of November and the beginning of December, our Hope4Development team visited all four of Hope4Malawi's partner primary schools—Mafunde, Tapani, Chimwembe, and Chipwepwete—to deliver this year’s Christmas Experience Workshop.

The Christmas Experience Workshop is a lively, hour-long session held after school for Year 5 students. Each child receives a bun to enjoy while they watch a drama of the Christmas story, performed by our Youth Development Programme (YDP) students.

After the performance, the YDP team leads the children through five gift bags, each containing an object that opens up discussion about a different part of the story.

We are incredibly grateful to Sutton Schools Work, a UK-based charity, for granting us access to their ‘Discover Christmas’ workshop, which we adapted for use in rural Blantyre, Malawi.

This is the first year the programme has run in all four primary schools. Last year, we piloted it at Mafunde Primary School, and after such positive feedback, we expanded it to all the schools that feed into Hope Secondary School.

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A Peek Inside the Gift Bags

Bag 1

Inside the first bag is a world map, along with small plastic people and animals. These items help spark conversations about how Christians believe God created the world and everything in it. Although the world began good, people soon started making harmful choices. Because God loved the world, He set a rescue plan in motion by sending Jesus.

Bag 2

The second bag begins with a game before revealing an angel, Mary, and a baby. The students explore the moment Mary learned she would have a special child and reflect on how she might have felt. A quick quiz helps them recall what they’ve learned.

Bag 3

The third bag offers clues about the shepherds, the first people to hear the news of Jesus’ birth. The students reflect on the idea that although shepherds were not considered important, they were told first, reinforcing the message that God loves everyone equally.

Bag 4

Inside this bag are gifts fit for a baby, echoing the story of the wise men. Students learn the meaning behind each gift:

• Gold for a king

• Frankincense for worship

• Myrrh foreshadowing Jesus’ future sacrifice

These gifts highlighted how special Jesus was.

Bag 5

The final bag contains a light, symbolising Jesus as the “light of the world.” Students are reminded that Jesus grew up, taught, performed miracles, died, and rose again. They are encouraged to think about how they can bring light into their own communities.

Creating a Memorable Experience

The workshop captured the children’s attention from start to finish. They loved the drama, eagerly participated in the activities, and engaged thoughtfully in the discussions.

Watching them immerse themselves in the story was a joy for our Hope4Development team, especially as we reflected on what this means for them. Jesus died for them so they can live in a relationship with God, experience freedom, and have eternal life. We pray they continue to know the Christmas story in a real and personal way.

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Can you Help a Child in Malawi?

Thanks to the support of our partners, sponsors, fundraisers and volunteers, Hope4Malawi's Youth Development programmes, building projects, resourcing initiatives, and student sponsorships continue to provide life-changing opportunities for children in rural Blantyre.

Contact us for further information on how to get involved.