If you are like me and look around at the heaps of toys and wonder what in the heck your kids need for Christmas, here is a great idea that will make you, and them, feel better about the world.Oxfam America offers the opportunity to give specific gifts (not just cash) to people around the world who need help getting their families and communities out of poverty. This is along the lines of the whole "teach a man to fish" philosophy. But more like, "if you give a farmer some chickens..."
According to their website, it works like this:
1) Pick your Gift: Browse the online catalog, and find a gift for your friend or loved one. With over 60 items to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect gift. (Example: $40 for a dozen baby chicks)2) What you Get: You’ll receive a free card with the image of your specific gift. You can personalize the card online and have it sent directly to your friend or loved one.
Or you can have the card delivered to you to write your own message. All Unwrapped donations are tax deductible and you will get a receipt.
3) Where it Goes: Working with communities, Oxfam listens to what people tell them will help them change their lives. Whether it’s a dozen chicks or school uniforms, they fund what’s needed most.
Your donation will go to the people who need it, and where it will have the greatest impact: to improve the lives of people living in poverty.
4) How it Helps: Oxfam America is committed to creating lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and social injustice. It’s a big job. But they’re not alone.They rely on like-minded people like you to help them give poor people the support they need to change their lives.
In exchange for sharing this information, Oxfam is donating a dozen chickens on our behalf*. I am sure the kids, especially Tater, would prefer that they came and lived here for a little while. But they will go to someone who can raise them and then sell their eggs
Sprout and I were talking earlier today about people who live in circumstances that can cause them to make questionable decisions in order to take care of themselves and their families. (In response to her questions about why so many of the stories of crime that are being covered during current events at school seem to take place in the city.) Hard concept to introduce to a child. Both she and Tater needed a definition of "circumstances". I think that participating in a gift like this that helps to change someone's circumstances for the better could help her (and him) feel better about the world.
That is a great gift to be able to give my kids. And, no batteries!
*I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Oxfam America Unwrapped and received a credit for a gift on the Oxfam site.
