“The Ukrainian team of eight had not met before the tournament. They may not have been the best team in the world, but they were such huge favourites with everyone as they were so enthusiastic.” As the invasion of Ukraine begins, Amos Director Chris Rose remembers meeting eight of its young people at the inaugural Street Child World Cup.

“Farmers proudly brought some of the fruits and vegetables they had managed to produce this harvest, many of which they had not been able to farm before. One farmer from a community in the Boaco communities proudly showed off his crop of tomatoes, which was a first for him, in such a dry region where they are generally not easy to grow.” Katie Hagley writes about how communities in Teustepe, Nicaragua are beginning to thrive.

It was the year of semi-lockdown’s and no travelling, of virtual fundraising and rebuilding Palestinian homes but not leaving the UK. As we look ahead to 2022, we’re also going to look back at a year of more creative fundraising and appeals, of webinars and COP26, of running and cycling. This is the Amos staff team’s review of 2021.

“Living in Bethlehem and celebrating Christmas in the place where Jesus was born to me is a true blessing, regardless of limitations and challenges faced as a religious minority group.” Farah Masoud and Lara Mitri write about the Orthodox Christmas Eve in Palestine.

“As a Palestinian woman, I have always belonged to too many marginalised groups; a woman, a Palestinian, a Christian in a Jewish state. I have often felt that I am standing alone, always aware that our leaders could not be relied on to care for us. Instead, we have to do it.” Sally Azzam Cook writes about Christmas in Nazareth as a child.