For orphaned kids, Christmas is a dreaded holiday—with or without the pandemic

Christmas is all about family and coming home. But because of the pandemic, reunions, gatherings, and other traditions were put on hold, making the holidays bittersweet. For orphaned kids, however, the holidays being bittersweet is something they're all too familiar with. Despite having a big family of six kids of their own, Issa and her husband James Tica foster orphaned kids to let them experience Christmas with a family. They had always been involved with Manila Boys Town, and there were kid