The Joy That Unites Us

Here in Villa Guadalupe, it is a season full of color, street lights, nativity scenes in homes, and decorations that brighten every corner of the country. Our festivities began with the Novenas to Purísima Concepción de María (Novena to the Immaculate Conception) on November 28th and continue until January 6th with the arrival of the Reyes Magos (The Three Kings).

Samaritan Scholars in Villa Guadalupe recently celebrated the end of the tutoring session with a Christmas party.

It’s a time for traditions, says Josefa, one of our Samaritan Scholars from Villa Guadalupe.

“Amid the lights and the calm of Christmas, I find my favorite traditions: cooking dinner together as a family, saying a prayer together before eating, playing board games, and sharing the experiences that marked our year. In the end, my brother and I light fireworks, as a small tribute to the joy that unites us.”
-Josefa, studying architecture and civil engineering

While every family has their own traditions, most celebrate the Novenas del Niño Dios (Child Jesus). This nine-day celebration takes place in Catholic churches at 4 a.m., and even though it is very early, children wake up enthusiastically to participate in the prayers, sing carols, and enjoy a small snack. 

December 24th is a busy day here! Adults are running around with preparations and children are bursting with excitement to wear their new clothes and wait for gifts. In the evening, the traditional Misa del Gallo (Midnight Mass) is celebrated. After Mass, families gather to share Christmas dinner, traditionally served at midnight, just as the sky lights up with fireworks announcing the birth of the Niño Dios.

“For Christmas, we visit my parents, share dinner, and dedicate the entire day to being together. My children marvel at the fireworks, and we wait together for midnight, when family becomes our greatest treasure.”
-Yenny, mother of two Samaritan Scholars

December 25th is so relaxing; It is a day to rest, visit grandparents, share toys, and enjoy the traditional Christmas leftovers. Some families prepare nacatamales, a traditional dish that wraps flavors and love inside banana leaves.

And so, among lights, laughter, and prayers, Christmas in Villa Guadalupe becomes a reflection of the soul of our people: simple, generous, and full of faith. It is the time of year when we remember that, even as the world changes, family togetherness, warmth, and hope remain the greatest gifts we can share. Because in our country, joy is sparked with a smile, shared with a nacatamal, and celebrated with the heart.

A song from our Samaritan Scholars: Feliz Navidad!

International Samaritan is a Christ-centered organization built on Catholic Social Teaching. Our mission is to walk hand-in-hand with people who live and work in the garbage dumps of developing nations to help them break out of poverty.

We provide holistic scholarships for students from kindergarten through college, and we’re currently supporting nearly 1,000 scholars in Central America, the Caribbean, and East Africa.

Would your church or school group like to partner and travel with us? Learn about our Learn, Serve, Grow program.

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Laura Cuevas, Program Coordinator

Laura is a Systems Engineering student and has been working as a coordinator at International Samaritan since 2022, marking the beginning of her professional career. Her connection with the organization began in 2019 when she received a scholarship, which has strengthened her commitment to education as a tool to transform lives and break family cycles. Passionate about working with children and young people, Laura enjoys spending time with them, passing on her knowledge and contributing to their growth.