Grenada is an island nation located in the Caribbean Ocean just north of Venezuela. An especially small country, it is known for its tourism and the export of bananas, cocoa, and nutmeg. Samaritan’s Purse began hosting outreach events for Grenada’s children in 2004 and launched The Greatest Journey, our follow-up discipleship program, in the nation…

Located on the eastern edge of the Black Sea, Georgia is most notably marked by the Caucasus mountains. Children in this nation began receiving Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts in 1997 and many have also participated in our follow-up discipleship program, The Greatest Journey, since it was launched here in 2010. Learn More Reaching the…

Paraguay is located in South America. The indigenous language is called Guaraní, which is also the name of its currency. Paraguay is derived from the Guaraní word that means “river that gives birth to the sea.” There are several rivers in the country that connect to the Atlantic Ocean. Samaritan’s Purse began distributing gift-filled shoeboxes…

As Africa’s oldest republic, Liberia was initially established on land that was purchased for slaves freed from the United States. More recently, it is known for its rainforest and a season of civil war in the 1990s. Samaritan’s Purse began hosting Operation Christmas Child outreach events for the nation’s children in 1998 and launched The…

Located in southern Africa, Eswatini is one of the world’s remaining absolute monarchies. Formerly Swaziland, the nation is known today as an exporter of sugar. Samaritan’s Purse began delivering Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to children in this nation in 1999. Later in 2011, we started offering The Greatest Journey, our follow-up discipleship program designed…

Uruguay is a country on the southeastern coast of South America. About half of the population lives in the metropolitan area of the capital, Montevideo. Spanish is the official language, and ethnic influences include Spanish, Italian, French, British, and South American indigenous people groups. Samaritan’s Purse began distributing gift-filled shoeboxes to these peoples in 2002…

Bordering the southwestern United States, Mexico is known for its tacos, avocados, and chocolate. More important than these signature items, however, are the millions of children who reside here. Samaritan’s Purse began distributing gift-filled shoeboxes to them in 1995 and launched The Greatest Journey, our follow-up discipleship program, in this nation in 2010. Learn More…

Located in Central America, Guatemala is known for its tourism and production of sugar, coffee, and bananas. Samaritan’s Purse began delivering Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to children here in 1997. Since 2009, we have also offered The Greatest Journey, our follow-up discipleship program, to these shoebox recipients. Read Stories from the Field Jaki and…

Located in West Africa, the Ivory Coast is a significant exporter of cocoa beans. Otherwise known as Cote d’Ivoire, the nation’s tropical rainforests include African mahogany and teak. Samaritan’s Purse began delivering Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to children here in 2000 and a year later, we began offering The Greatest Journey, our follow-up discipleship…

Located in South America, Chile is the world’s longest country with nearly 4,000 miles of coastline stretching from north to south. Samaritan’s Purse began delivering Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to children here in 2003, and we have also offered The Greatest Journey, our follow-up discipleship program for shoebox recipients, in Chile since 2009. Read…