Meaningful Christmas gifts

Many charities offer Christmas gift programmes. You buy items for people in need that are given on behalf of your family or friends. For example, you might donate money for school equipment in developing countries. You receive an acknowledgement to give to your relative or friend to show what they have “donated” to the children.

It makes a great Christmas gift — more meaningful than buying stuff for one another that is often not wanted.

Each year, this column runs a list of charities that take part in these programmes. I’ve asked each one to describe their programme in 20 words or fewer:

● Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand:

0800 22 10 22 or www.caritasgifts.org. nz.

“Caritas gifts of hope, life, peace and learning enable our lifechanging work around the world and in Aotearoa New Zealand.”

● ChildFund New Zealand:

0800 223 111 or childfund. org. nz/ gifts- that- grow.

“From chickens to coats to computers, give the gifts that grow children’s lives this Christmas.”

● Christian World Service:

0800 74 73 72 or www. gift. org. nz.

“Give hope: Clean water for Ugandan HIV/ Aids orphans, school for Haitian children or emergency rations after a disaster. Multiply good.”

● Leprosy Mission New Zealand:

0800 862 873 or www.reallygoodgifts.org. nz.

“Bring God’s love to lives affected by leprosy through Really Good Gifts, including protective sandals from $ 10.”

● MEND — Mobility Equipment for Needs of the Disabled:

021 060 9631 or www. mend. org. nz.

“Give young people in poor countries life- changing gifts — corrective surgery, prostheses, mobility aids, physiotherapy or hearing aids — for just $ 65.”

● Oxfam New Zealand:

“The best gifts can’t be wrapped. Choose a unique present this year from Oxfam Unwrapped, and help end poverty.”

● Salvation Army:

04 802 6269 ext 24846 or www.salvationarmy.org.nz/justgifts.

“Give a gift that just keeps giving as it tackles poverty and injustice around the world. Thanks for your support.”

● Save the Children New Zealand: 0800 167 168 or gifts. savethechildren.org.nz// thegood- gift.

“By giving The Good Gift, you will directly transform a child’s life and make a world of difference.”

● Tearfund: 0800 800 777 or www.giftforlife.co.nz.

“This Christmas, donate a lifechanging gift to a loved one with Gift for Life. Giving a little means a lot.”

● The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ: 0800 227 229 or www. hollows. org. nz/ gift- of- sight.

“Give the gift of sight — give a loved one a gift card to help restore sight for $ 25.”

● World Vision: 0800 24 5000 or www. worldvision. org. nz/ smiles.

“Choose a life- changing Smiles gift this Christmas and help children and families in real need.”