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During your school days, you probably did it.

As the Christmas holidays approach children all across Wales and the UK will be encouraged to pack up shoe boxes full of gifts and presents.

These are then shipped all around the world to little boys and girls who need them to spread a little bit of Christmas cheer.

One of the most popular of the shoebox schemes is called Operation Christmas Child run by the charity Samaritan's Purse.

This popular appeal has a enormous range of supporters but some groups and individuals are vehemently opposed it.

We have put together the arguments for and against Operation Christmas Child to help you decide if you should let your kids take part.

(Image: TMS)

Children helping children - what is wrong with that?

Since 1990, more than 157 million children in over 160 countries received shoeboxes from the charity, or as the charity's website puts it, "have experienced God's love through the power of simple shoebox gifts from Operation Christmas Child".

Supporters argue that the scheme is the very epitome of Christmas spirit. Children helping children is a wonderful thing. It has the dual benefit of helping children in the most deprived areas of the world have a little bit of joy and teaches children who are giving the shoeboxes the importance of kindness.

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A spokesman for Samaritan's Purse said: "Operation Christmas Child exists to let children in need around the world know that they are not forgotten and that they are loved.

"In the spirit of Christmas, and in partnership with thousands of local churches and community groups worldwide we deliver millions of shoebox gifts each year to children suffering from poverty, natural disaster, war, terror, disease and famine, many of whom have never received a single gift in their life."

It can not be argued that the scheme has reached millions of children since it began.

In Wales' capital, major sports teams proudly declare their affiliation to the scheme.

Supporters say that without the scheme the millions of children who they have reached would miss out.

So what is the issue?

The main issue is around accusations that shoeboxes are used by Samaritans Purse to convert children to their particular branch of Christianity.

Megan Manson, campaigns officer at the National Secular Society said: "Operation Christmas Child is a ‘shoebox’ scheme. Donors fill shoeboxes with toys, which are then sent to children in developing countries. Schools and parents see the scheme as an opportunity to teach children about the importance of helping those less well-off.

"What many schools and parents do not know about the scheme is that its primary goal is to push fundamentalist religion on vulnerable children.

"Operation Christmas Child is run by Samaritan’s Purse, a registered evangelical Christian charity. With an income of over £15.9 million, it’s one of the richest religious charities in the UK.

"It’s no coincidence that so many of the shoeboxes are sent to countries with large Muslim populations. Once they arrive, the shoeboxes are given to children at an “outreach event”, together with conversion-focused Christian literature. The children are also encouraged to join a Christian indoctrination programme."

According to Humanist UK, not only are many of the boxes sent to countries with large Muslim populations, they also tend to target areas of extreme deprivation.

Richy Thompson, Humanist UK's director of public affairs and policy, said: "It is absolutely appalling to target vulnerable children in this way especially when, in many cases, they have already suffered poverty, war, and other terrible tragedies.

"While those who donate to the scheme are well-intentioned and want to make an altruistic contribution, donors in the UK should be aware of the nature of Operation Christmas Child's activities and instead find a reputable and inclusive charity which has no ulterior motives and only has children's best interests at heart."

The charity does present case studies to showcase the conversions that have come through Operation Christmas Child.

One case study on the organisation’s website boasts of how a shoebox converted a Muslim family in Africa to Christianity.

It reads: “Angella, (a 12-year-old girl from Malawi), received an Operation Christmas child shoebox filled with presents last year. Since then, she’s led her Muslim family to Christ.”

(Image: Samaritan's Purse)

In response to this charity says that, though it doesn't hide its religious underpinnings, it offers the gifts with no strings attached.

“No matter where we go, we don’t hide the fact that we are Christians," said the charities spokesman.

"We always serve these children without any strings attached.

"Where appropriate, children receiving gift-filled shoeboxes are also offered a copy of The Greatest Gift booklet. This booklet gives children receiving shoeboxes the opportunity to know more about Jesus, and about Christmas, just like we do here through nativity plays, carol concerts and the like.

"Should there be any dissension in any community about the giving of shoeboxes, no distribution will take place. It is exactly because of the way we handle ourselves and respect local communities that Samaritan’s Purse is welcome in so many countries around the world, with governments of all religions and none inviting us."

In their latest press release Nick Cole, director of Operation Christmas Child UK, said: "When the shoebox gifts are sent overseas they are passed on to local churches, who are then equipped and trained in presenting The Greatest Journey Bible lessons.

"Where church partners assess it’s appropriate in their local culture, they invite children receiving the shoebox gift to come and learn about Jesus. For Samaritan’s Purse, it is important that what we do builds the local church.”

According to the release: "During the 12 fun and interactive Bible lessons, children get the chance to discover who Jesus is and how to begin their own journey of faith. It’s offered free of charge, requires the consent of a parent or guardian, and there is no obligation linked to the gift the children have already received.

"Since 2009, over six million children around the world have discovered Jesus through The Greatest Journey, and millions now own a New Testament Bible in their own language."

“As a result,” Cole said, “lives are being changed for eternity and new churches are springing up in communities across the globe”.

The issue of who runs the charity

Another criticism levelled at the scheme stems from who runs it.

Samaritan’s Purse is currently headed by a man named Reverend William Franklin Graham III.

"Its president is American missionary Rev. Franklin Graham," said Ms Manson. "He has praised Vladimir Putin’s anti-LGBT laws, said that Muslims 'should be barred from immigrating to America' and called on Christians to convert Muslims."

The Samaritan’s Purse CEO, spoke at President Trump’s inauguration and has been very outspoken on his views on homosexuality.

He has gone on record several times defending Russian President Vladimir Putin’s crackdown on homosexuality, wrote an article where he praised him for “protecting children from any homosexual agenda or propaganda”.

He has also said the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan “may be” the second coming and Armageddon.

On his Facebook page he has also said: "We are under attack by Muslims at home and abroad. We should stop all immigration of Muslims to the US until this threat with Islam has been settled.

“Every Muslim that comes into this country has the potential to be radicalised and they do their killing to honor their religion and Muhammad. During World War Two, we didn’t allow Japanese to immigrate to America, nor did we allow Germans. Why are we allowing Muslims now?”

The charity says Operation Christmas Child is far more than one man and they have thousands of volunteers in the UK.

A spokesman for the charity said: "Regarding CEO Franklin Graham, who recently preached to thousands at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, Samaritan’s Purse is meeting the physical needs of those in need around the world. They receive assistance regardless of race, creed, gender, religion, sexuality or ethnicity.

“Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke chapter 10 gives us the example of helping others without any conditions or exceptions. Jesus helped others out of compassion and love and we seek to do the same.

“Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, attracts thousands of volunteers across the UK. With hundreds of thousand more packing shoebox gifts. These volunteers are the backbone of the organisation and it is because of them that we are able to bring joy to millions of children around the world”

Are the other options?

Critics of Operation Christmas Child argue that it is perfectly possible to send shoeboxes of gifts without supporting conversion of people in other countires.

According to the National Secular Society, Operation Christmas Child is the exception rather than the rule.

Megan Manson said: "It is highly commendable that so many generous people in the UK want to help children in other countries – and that they want to get their own children involved in the important civil responsibility of charitable work. But what Operation Christmas Child is doing is exploitation.

"It exploits families in poor countries by putting them under pressure to convert to fundamentalist religion with no consideration of the damage this may inflict on the local economy and culture. And it exploits families in rich countries by using their generosity as a tool for religious conversion. Many parents, once they discover how the shoeboxes are used, are rightly horrified and feel duped.

"Fortunately, Samaritan’s Purse is an exception rather than the rule. There are many more charities, operating both in the UK and abroad, that do genuine good. Schools and parents shouldn’t let unethical schemes like Operation Christmas Child discourage them from getting children involved in charitable giving.

"However, they may wish to take a close look at exactly where their donation goes and how it is used, to make an informed decision about how their goodwill can have a genuinely positive impact on the world."

Richy Thompson added: "While those who donate to the scheme are well-intentioned and want to make an altruistic contribution, donors in the UK should be aware of the nature of Operation Christmas Child's activities, and instead find a reputable and inclusive charity which has no ulterior motives and only has children's best interests at heart.

"We have drafted a template letter which people can sign informing schools about what their donations are contributing to and urging schools to reconsider their support for the scheme.

"The letter can be downloaded here."

A list of alternative shoebox appeal schemes can be found here.