World Vision logo (www.worldvision.org)
Traditions are cool. They are something you look forward to experiencing every year. They make life more interesting and exciting.
For many years I was blessed to be able to sponsor a little boy, Hussen, in Ethiopia with two of my friends through World Vision. It was one of the best things that I have ever done in my life. One tradition that I have also done for several years at Christmas time is to pick out a gift through the World Vision Gift catalog to help those in need. I’ve given to the clean water fund, given emergency food and aid to children in Africa, and given seeds for a family. However, the one gift that I have longed to purchase for several years is a goat, which I planned to buy once I got married and had children. I desire to show my (future) children the importance of giving and helping those in need. My heart especially goes out to people and children in third world countries, especially after my mission trip to Haiti. This year I decided instead of waiting for the future (i.e. marriage and children), I want to make a difference as a single woman and buy a goat now. While not prosperous by any stretch of the imagination by American standards, I would rather stretch my income and bless a family in another country with a goat for $75 than use that money in a more self-centered way.
If you would also like to help people in need through Word Vision but you are looking for more affordable gift options, several affordable options are 3 ducks for $21, art and music instruction for $20, and a share of a donkey to take produce, firewood, and goods to market for $25. You can also help children specifically in America by feeding a family of 5 for a day for $18 or buying $250 worth of necessities for urgently needed clothes and shoes for kids in America for only $25.
You can go online 24 hours a day to check out +/or purchase a gift for someone in need. Go to www.worldvisiongifts.org. They also have a mailing option to send checks, or you can call 1-888-511-6511 (Monday-Friday 6 AM- 9 PM and Saturday 6 AM- 6 PM PST).
Facts about World Vision: “World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.” They serve nearly 100 countries and “provide emergency assistance to children and families affected by natural disasters and civil conflict, work with communities to develop long-term solutions to alleviate poverty, and advocate for justice on behalf of the poor.” (http://www.worldvision.org/about-us/who-we-are).
Here is a video link about how goats helped one poor woman with AIDS and her three children:
Related articles
- World Vision: Gifts that Give @WorldVisionUSA (miscfinds4u.com)
julieannesmith 