Mongolia is located in northern Asia between Russia and China. Its pasturelands make livestock herding a common occupation. A traditional Mongolian dwelling is called a ger (yurt), a circular tent-like structure made of wood and canvas. Samaritan’s Purse began distributing gift-filled shoeboxes there in 1996 and launched The Greatest Journey, our follow-up discipleship program, in…

Located in West Africa, Benin ranks high among the continent’s cotton producers, but still remains one of the world’s poorest countries. Samaritan’s Purse began distributing Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts here in 1999. Since 2010, many of the Benin’s children have also participated in The Greatest Journey, our follow-up discipleship course for shoebox recipients. Learn…

Located in West Africa, Burkina Faso is home to a large rural population that is known to be honest. This fits well since the country’s name means “Land of Incorruptible People.” Samaritan’s Purse started delivering Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to children here in 1999 and by 2011 began offering them The Greatest Journey, our…

Located in West Africa, Ghana was the first country south of the Sahara to gain its independence from colonial rule. Formerly part of Britain’s Gold Coast, the nation’s rich natural resources continue to be an asset. Samaritan’s Purse began delivering Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to children here in 1996. Since 2010, we have also offered…

Honduras is located in Central America and is one of the poorest nations in the region. Devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, the country has rebounded in part due to its production of sugar cane, tropical fruit, and coffee. Samaritan’s Purse began delivering Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to Honduran children in 1996. We have…

Madagascar is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa. It is known for its lemurs, baobab trees, vanilla, and pepper. Samaritan’s Purse began delivering Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to children here in 1993. Since 2010, we have also offered these shoebox recipients our follow-up discipleship program, The…

Mali is a country in West Africa on the edge of the Sahara Desert. The majority of the population lives in the southern half of the country along the Niger River, where agriculture, fishing, and cattle and camel herding are main sources of income. The city of Timbuktu is located there. Samaritan’s Purse began distributing…

The Philippines is a country located in Southeast Asia that consists of hundreds of islands, with coastlines totaling more than 22,000 miles. Named after Philip II of Spain, it was under Spanish rule for more than 300 years before becoming a U.S. commonwealth and then an independent country. Samaritan’s Purse began distributing gift-filled shoeboxes there…

Suriname is a country on the northern coast of South America. A land of tropical rainforests, Suriname is one of the top producers in the tropics of bauxite, the main ore of aluminum. Formerly a Dutch colony, its ethnic diversity also includes South Asian and African influences. Samaritan’s Purse began distributing gift-filled shoeboxes there in…

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second largest country in Europe after Russia and is known for its agricultural production. Samaritan’s Purse began distributing gift-filled shoeboxes there in 1996 and launched The Greatest Journey, our follow-up discipleship program, in this nation in 2010. Samaritan’s Purse has also been actively providing food,…