In the last of our four gift guides, we look at giving to those who need it.
There are so many organisations doing good work for people in Australia and around the world, or for specific purposes. Whatever drives you, whatever your passion is, whatever you care most about ... even a small donation can assist the work of organisations who, more often than not, live off the smell of an oily rag.
Giving to a favourite charity or cause is also a great way to teach children about the art of giving which Marc de Rosnay wrote about earlier in the week.
So we've picked six for you to consider. All great causes. Some well known, some probably not known much at all.
Motherpedia has given a small donation to each of these charities because we care for the work they do - they're the things we wear our heart on our sleeves for. We hope that you're inspired to do so also.
Cause: Women and children in Afghanistan
Charity: Mahboba’s Promise
Mahboba’s Promise aims to provide assistance to the widows and orphans of Afghanistan through the provision of education, sanitation, primary health care, training and agriculture programs. Mahboba is an Afghani refugee who arrived in Australia after escaping the Taliban via a Pakistan refugee camp in the late 1980s. In 1992, further tragedy touched her life when she lost her son in a drowning accident at Kiama’s blowhole. Despite her own personal hardship, Mahboba began to raise money among the Australian community for the plight of Afgani orphans living in refugee camps.
You can donate gifts to help families and communities in need at mahbobaspromise.org and receive a card in return. Gifts range from $10 for school shoes through $150 for a sewing machine or sheep.
Cause: Families and children living in poverty
Charity: Oxfam
The pioneer of the gift that keeps giving, Oxfam provides cute cards or e-card in return for helping to transform lives. The range is wide - there’s quite seriously a charity gift to suit every single person you’ve ever met, so just choose your card and gift and personalise your message. Favourites include a chicken for $10, toys for $29, a goat for $39, an Aboriginal Women’s Circle for $50 and a farmer’s pack for $94.
You can either get a card in person from an Oxfam retail outlet or buy online now at Oxfam Unwrapped.
Cause: Kids living in financial disadvantage in Australia
Charity: The Smith Family
1 in 10 Australian kids are living in financial disadvantage – which means their families can only provide the bare necessities. The effects are far-reaching. They struggle in almost every situation and school is especially hard. Without access to education basics and learning support, they fall behind in class and find it extremely difficult to fit in and participate like the other kids. Feelings of isolation and self-doubt will see them disengage, in lessons and in the playground, with devastating consequences for their emotional and social development.
You can help these children change their lives forever by donating to The Smith Family’s vital learning and support programs or their Toy and Gift Appeal.
Cause: Families in rural and remote areas of Australia
Charity: Royal Flying Doctor Service – Buy Some Sky
When you purchase a patch of sky from the Royal Flying Doctor Service, you’re not only helping to combat the growing number of unwanted and underappreciated gifts, but you’re helping the RFDS carry out its day-to-day work. Now in its 85th year, the Royal Flying Doctor Service provides the finest care to more than 270,000 Australians each year - that's one person every two minutes. It carries out 40,000 air evacuations every year – which is 112 per day. Flying over 26.5 million kilometres every year, the Royal Flying Doctor Service delivers extensive primary healthcare and 24-hour emergency services to those who live, work and travel throughout Australia.
Buy a patch of sky for $50 and the recipient will see their name in the sky.
Cause: Guide Dogs for the visually impaired
Charity: Guide Dogs Victoria’s Bow Project
The Bow Projectallows you to support Guide Dog Victoria’s life-changing services and projects. Whether it’s providing food for a Guide Dog in training for one week ($18), or going all out and enabling a 10-week old Guide Dog litter to attend their very first puppy training class ($1,050), or something practical to assist in the training of an adorable new Guide Dog puppy, such as a leash ($11), there is something for every budget and every purpose.
The full range of gifts from The Bow Project is available from Guide Dogs Victoria's online shop.
Cause: Medical Research
Organisation: Centenary Institute
We have been fortunate to have the Director of the Centenary Institute, Professor Mathew Vadas, keeping Motherpedia readers up-to-date all year on the latest exciting developments in research aimed at prevention, treatment and cure. He has told us about progress in common skin disorders, cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, liver disease, the immune system and more. Medical research institutes survive on the basis of grants from government agencies or large private sector organisations (of which there are very few in Australia who can, and do, afford it) and private donations – be they big or small. You may not see a return for your donation immediately, but all medical research adds to the pool of knowledge worldwide and contributes to better health for all of us.
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