The notion of donating a goat for Christmas may seem strange. But the purchase of this unusual gift can provide families in some of the poorest communities in the world with income, nourishment and hope for a sustainable future.
Donate a Goat or Sheep for Christmas – Income, Clothing and Nourishment for Poor Families
According to John Seymour in his ‘The New Complete Book of Self Sufficiency’ (Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2003), goats are efficient converters of roughage into milk and meat, and goats’ milk makes excellent cheese. These foods provide rich sources of protein and can also be sold to contribute towards school fees and household needs, or to provide a family income.
Harvested regularly, sheep’s wool may be spun and woven into cloth for family garments or bedding, or for sale. Goats and sheep thrive on scrubby country or mountainsides and will produce offspring that can be gifted to other families, thus providing an ongoing stream of income and nourishment.
Tearfund offers Living Gift vouchers that gift-givers can purchase online. Recipients of the vouchers select the charitable area they would like the donation to go towards. Tearfund works in some of the poorest countries in the world, in areas as diverse as HIV prevention, children at risk, conflict and disaster prevention. Vouchers include the purchase of grain, rice, sheep and school meals.
Charitable Gift Cards Provide an Education for People in Developing Countries
Five or ten dollars can purchase material that will help poor people in developing countries to gain an education. This may be as simple as school books, school bags and writing equipment. The Gift for Life programme has developed electronic or printed Christmas gift cards for a range of practical and sustainable gifts that will assist communities in some of the poorest countries in the world.
Trained teachers are in short supply in countries such as Somalia, the Philippines and Indonesia. Teachers are often required to work in poorly equipped classrooms with students affected by poverty, war and disease. Teacher training will help shape the future for children in developing countries, and is one of the options among the Gift for Life Christmas gift cards.
Farmers in Malawi and India are faced with significant barriers in growing much-needed food for their communities. Providing training for farmers through Farmer Field Schools helps to improve production to the ongoing benefit of their families and communities.
Choosing to give the alternative gift of a donation to charity seems in keeping with the true spirit of Christmas – to give to those most in need, as were those two weary travellers one starry night more than 2,000 years ago.
Lyn Rasmussen - Lyn is a New Zealander who lives in the centre of New Zealand's Volcanic Wonderland. She has been recognised for her writing across ...
