AlternativeGifts2007

Gift of LightYour gift of light can change someone's life. More than a third of the world's people live without access to electricity. Generally, these are the poorest and least educated people. During daylight hours, they are busy working. But when the sun goes down, it's too dark to learn to read, to teach children, or to work on small practical projects that can help earn money. One solar lantern can provide a school, clinic, or family

 

Your gift will help to reforest the banks of the Artibonite River in order to build prosperity for both the Dominican and the Haitian peoples. The Artibonite flows through both countries and is a source of energy, irrigation and drinking water for more than 70% of Haiti's population. It supports 2/3 of Haiti's rice production, the most important food staple for the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Rampant deforestation has resulted in poor water quality and quantity.

 

Through your support, help to strengthen the resolve and presence of peacemakers in countries entrenched in violence, so that the oppressed can sleep without fear. In Colombia people are vulnerable as their land is desired by multinational interests. And, after decades Palestinians and Israelis remain immersed in conflict over land they believe to be their home.

In many countries, poverty starves more than stomachs. The Bibles that feed minds and souls are scarce, especially where growing churches have more new believers than Bibles in their local language to go around. Your gift will provide one Bible for children or adults who are hungry for God's Word, and can also provide Bible training or support youth Bible clubs in countries like Costa Rica and Sierra Leone.

 

Healthcare workers support Somalian refugees as they learn to maneuver our heath care system by providing transportation, accompanying them to doctor appointments, and connecting them with agencies that can help them. This small donation will pay for an hour of a Community Health Care Worker's time.

 

This gift provides hope for the future for a child. School kits contain basic things an eager student in the developing world needs to make education possible: a notebook, a ruler, pencils, a pencil sharpener, an eraser, paper, crayons and scissors. When the kit reaches a child who lacks these basics, the first step can be taken on the path that leads to knowledge, hope and self-sufficiency!

 

Your gift of $10.00 provides 10 chicks to build an egg business. Little chicks bring big hope. For the families in remote Mexican villages, the chicks help to alleviate economic struggles through providing a sustainable income source as well as stable nutrition.

 

ELCA World Hunger works with its long-time partner in Mexico Amextra, (Mexican Association for Rural and Urban Transformation), to provide this gift. Want more info? www.elca.org/hunger.

When disaster strikes overseas or here at home, blankets - specially designed for use in disasters - help provide warmth, comfort and the feeling that someone cares. A blanket provides needed protection and a ray of hope.

 
For 60 years Church World Service has responded to natural and human-made disasters, and in the process has learned how to prepare for the unexpected. For more info, check out www.churchworldservice.org.