
Christmas is just around the corner…
And frenzied shoppers rush around buying Christmas gifts and goodies, some racking their heads over what to buy for their loved ones this year while others opt out of gift-buying altogether, due to rising costs and inflation.
This year, why not do something different and give a meaningful gift instead - one that is not only practical but that will also change the lives of children and communities in need?
WorldVision is giving you this opportunity to give a gift of hope in honor of your loved ones (for every gift you purchase, you get a free gift card). And there’s something for everyone!
If you know an animal lover, you can buy a baby goat or lamb on his or her behalf for a community in Thailand.
If you know a food lover, or a fan tong, then rice would be the perfect gift to benefit needy farmers in Thailand!
If you know someone who is concerned about the environment, there’s biogas (the green alternative to firewood) units for villagers in China who will not have to cut down trees anymore for fuel.
If you know a straight-A student, there workbooks and uniforms for kids to Sarawak, or you can even help to build a classroom for children in Lebanon.
Any future doctors on your Christmas shopping list? Medical insurance for a child in war-torn Lebanon would be just the thing.
For families with kids? There’s educational toys and even playground equipment for children in Thailand.
If you know someone who’s into arts, crafts, and sewing, contributing to the sewing factory fund will equip women in Lebanon with skills so that they can earn money to be self-sufficient.
Do you know any newly-weds? How about sponsoring a child in their name (that will hopefully be a sign of children to come in the future)?
There is DEFINITELY something for everyone.
And it need not be expensive either. Even a Hallmark greeting card costs RM 20 and above. So will the usual Christmas gift items such as picture frames, socks, underwear and etc. And a good majority of Christmas gifts sit on shelves collecting dust.
For RM 20, you can buy a school of fish (any fish lovers in the house?) - 10 catfish to be exact - for villagers in Thailand to breed and rare as a source of food. You can also give a child in Sarawak a school uniform to last the year for that amount.
RM 15 will get organic fertilizer that will increase crops for farmers in Thailand. While it will probably get you half a Christmas pudding, ten candy canes, or three gingerbread men from a supermarket in KL.
It’s not that hard to give, isn’t it? WorldVision is making giving to those in need as easy as shopping from any other catalogue. You can even purchase gifts online at the website.
And if you’ve already been faced with swarms of charitable organizations asking for donations hoping to bank on the Christmas spirit of the season, perhaps a little more knowledge about WorldVision will convince you to give.

WorldVision is not exactly a “charity” organization in the traditional sense of the word. It doesn’t just give money, food, and clothes to the poor. Rather, they believe in the concept of “Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day. Teach him to fish, and he’ll eat for a lifetime.” Hence, WV calls itself a relief, advocacy, and DEVELOPMENT organization. One of their main focuses is long-term development projects in areas of poverty. Their goal is to teach and equip these communities with the skills and resources they need to be self-sufficient.
And yes, your money actually reaches where it is supposed to. Like any other corporate company, WV’s finances are audited by external, third-party agencies. Overheads costs are kept to below 16% of all donations received.
You can be sure that every dollar that you give to WV, it will go a long way. It’s not giving for today. It’s investing for a brighter future for the millions of people out there living in poverty.
Want to get a gift?
You can order online at http://www.worldvision.com.my/goh/index.php, or, drop by the Gifts of Hope booth at BSC this coming Saturday and Sunday (last weekend!) from 10 AM - 10 PM. If you purchase a gift above RM 30 or make a general donation above RM 10, you can get a set of 5 beautiful greeting cards as displayed below:


In the midst of all the shopping, lights, parties, presents, food, and feasting, let’s spare just a little bit of time and money to spread some hope and joy to others who are not as privileged as we are, shall we?
It’s not about how much, but it’s about the heart. Do we really care, or are we too selfish? If everyone does a little bit, no matter how little, it will make a huge difference for someone else.
My bit is sponsoring a child. What’s yours?
Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts. ~Janice Maeditere