A gift can transform lives, particularly when passed on in the spirit of kindness, compassion and solidarity. Caritas is the Latin word for love and compassion and this spirit of generosity is never so important than at Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus and rejoice in the hope this brings.
By choosing a Caritas Global Gift this year, you are helping to spread the message that together, as one global family, we are making the world a better place.
Caritas Australia, the Catholic Church’s international aid and development agency, works in partnership with local communities in over 30 countries throughout the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Pacific and Australia.
This year there are seven Caritas Australia Global Gifts which encompass the range of Caritas Australia’s community development programs including; water, food, agriculture, healthcare, education and emergency assistance. You can also make a gift to whole community. The Global Gifts start from $10 to $1,500 or more – the choice is yours.
“Your generosity in buying a Global Gift will help bring lasting change for some of the poorest people in the world,” said Caritas Australia Senior Direct Marketing Coordinator, Eamon Sharkey.
“Money raised through Global Gifts this Christmas will also help vulnerable children have better access to education; improve health and hygiene and enable vulnerable men and women to develop sustainable income streams. Thanks to the gift of emergency assistance you can also help more communities to receive help during a crisis.”
“We are one global family and one gift at a time, Caritas Australia and our supporters are helping to alleviate poverty, enabling people to create healthier, happier futures for themselves, their children and communities.”
In Timor Leste, Caritas and local partners are bringing the joy of sustainable agriculture and new livelihoods to vulnerable communities like Flabiana’s.
Flabiana and her family were forced to flee their village in Timor Leste due to conflict and unrest. When they returned their village was destroyed, food was in short supply and the future looked bleak.
Today through ‘Integrated Rural Community Development’ training courses coordinated by Caritas Australia, Flabiana and her community have gained the skills and knowledge they need to produce sustainable crops. They also no longer live in fear of hunger, and are working on a new enterprise to sell locally produced food.
“Whether you decide to buy one Global Gift or many, I would like to thank you for your generosity on behalf of Caritas Australia, our global partners, and the communities whose lives you are touching. We are all so grateful that you have chosen to turn compassion into action.”
You can purchase a Global Gift at www.caritas.org.au/globalgifts or by calling 1800 024 413.
