Letters posted to Santa Claus in Brazil do not go unread. For the last 30 years, the country's national postal service has had a team that sorts the letters and tries to get them matched to a benefactor.
"I am writing on behalf of my children, 12 year old Kaique and 7 year old Andre. My ex-husband abandoned us because of drugs and it makes me sad when they ask me about him.(...) Please, Santa Claus bring them some happiness and get them to smile"
The letters have to be original and handwritten by children up to 10 years old. It's okay for them to get help. Children meeting the requirements get put up for "adoption." That is...their letters get adopted - by people or by companies - who can make a child's wish come true. Patrons can "adopt" more than one letter.
“I want to ask for a backpack because mine is really old and if you give me a new one I will be very happy because my family can’t buy it. I see my friends all have beautiful backpacks and mine is all torn. That makes me sad."
The postal service says that over the last 10 years, it's managed to find patrons for six million letters nationwide, bringing together donors and children to help create a happy Christmas. Here are some of the letters posted to Santa Claus in Brazil this year.
Yuri, 9 years old "My name is Yuri and I am 9 years old. I live with my mum and we have to pay rent. She’s unemployed and we lost all of our furniture. She doesn’t have money to buy me clothes or new shoes but my dream is to have a video-game or a bike."
“My name is Mirela and I would like a carnivorous plant. (...) If don’t get it’s fine. I will be happy you made the effort. (...) I want a carnivorous plant because sometimes I feel lonely and I like plants."