Christmas is just around the corner. The weather has gotten colder, Christmas songs are playing and the Salvation Army’s red kettles are everywhere. Winter is a fun and exciting season. However, not everyone can enjoy winter like we do. These are the people who have no money, food or shelter.

There are few special people who knock on the window of my heart every holiday season. They are the children of Tonj.

Two years ago, I read articles about a documentary called “Don’t cry for me, Sudan.’’

This film changed my life. The documentary takes place in Tonj, a small town in the southern part of Sudan. In this town, a Korean Catholic priest named Lee Tae-Seok lived with Sudanese villagers. He helped the people in many ways. He treated the villager’s illness for free. This was why the villagers called him Schweitzer. He also taught children how to read and write and play musical instruments. He even formed a 35-member brass band. Through music, these Sudanese kids learned to smile. Sadly, Priest Lee died and left the children of Tonj.

After watching the film, I decided to help the children. I decided to save my allowance and send money to Sudan so that the children could learn more. Education is very important because students can lighten up Tonj and the world. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” Nelson Mandela once said. Education is important in everyone’s life because knowledge is power. This holiday season, my gift to Tonj will change the life of the kids and help them dream their dreams once again.