by Mariam, age 9 from Nouakchott, Mauritania, asks Santa about his year-round life, the Sahara Desert, and Mauritania’s Islamic culture.
Dear Santa, my name is Mariam, and I am nine years old. I live in Nouakchott, Mauritania, where my mama says our whole country is mostly covered by a huge desert, right along the Atlantic coast.
Dear Mariam, desert meeting ocean makes for one of the most striking landscapes on my entire African route, your mama picked a truly dramatic hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
What is the life of Santa? My little cousin wondered what you do all year besides just Christmas Eve.
My whole year stays quite busy, Mariam, building toys, checking my list, and caring for the reindeer long before December ever arrives. Christmas Eve is really just the exciting finale of a year full of steady, cheerful work.
My mama says most of Mauritania is covered by the Sahara Desert. Is that true?
It is true, Mariam, the vast Sahara Desert stretches across most of your country, a striking golden landscape. I always enjoy that endless, sandy view flying over on my way to visit you.
My mama says Mauritania is an Islamic republic, and most families here practice Islam. Is that true?
It is true, Mariam, Mauritania is officially an Islamic republic, and Islam shapes daily life for most families there. I always admire how communities everywhere find their own meaningful ways to care for one another.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Mariam Sidi
Nouakchott, Mauritania
P.S. Will you tell my cousin what you do in July?
Mostly toy testing, Mariam, summer is surprisingly busy at the workshop.
