by Divine, age 8 from Libreville, Gabon, asks Santa about Christmas napkins, Gabon’s protected rainforest, and its Christian traditions.
Dear Santa, my name is Divine, and I am eight years old. I live in Libreville, Gabon, where my tata says our whole country is covered almost entirely in rainforest, home to gorillas and elephants right in our own backyard.
Dear Divine, a backyard shared with gorillas and elephants sounds like the wildest, most wonderful neighborhood on my entire African route, your tata picked a truly remarkable hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Can I get Christmas napkins? My maman wants a set with little animals on them for our table this year.
Of course, Divine, animal-print napkins sound like the perfect fit for your rainforest hometown, gorillas or elephants included. A well-set table always makes a Christmas meal feel a little more special.
My teacher says Gabon set aside a huge part of its land as protected national parks. Is that true?
It is true, Divine, Gabon protected a very large share of its land as national parks back in 2002, safeguarding its rainforest and incredible wildlife for the future. I always fly a slow, admiring pass over that green, protected canopy.
My tata says most people in Gabon are Christian, and Christmas is one of the biggest holidays of the year here. Is that true?
It is true, Divine, Christianity plays a central role in daily life across Gabon, and Christmas is celebrated warmly with church services and family gatherings. That kind of shared faith and togetherness is really the heart of the whole season.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Divine Ndong
Libreville, Gabon
P.S. Can the napkins have a little sleigh hidden among the animals?
I will ask the elves to sneak one in, Divine, a hidden sleigh sounds like a fun little detail.
