October 10, 2023
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Are you wondering what to treat your loved ones with under the Christmas tree this year? We have some gift tips that will not only please but also give people in need a chance for a better life. Give the gift of women's self-sufficiency, farm tools for people living in developing regions, Georgian cheese, or one of more than two dozen other Meaningful Gifts. There is truly something for everyone. It makes sense.
Meaningful gifts
Advent is just around the corner, and people are thinking about what to give their loved ones under the tree this year. The best gifts not only delight but also are also meaningful. Caritas Czech Republic offers those who want to give their loved ones a Meaningful Gift for Christmas a range of gifts that bring double joy. You will make the recipient happy and, at the same time, give people in need a chance for self-sufficiency and a better life. Whether by supporting farming, financial literacy or even schooling. Many people in the world often lack a small amount of support to be able to make the final step to a self-sufficient life. A Meaningful Gift offers just that start-up help. At the same time, you can do Christmas shopping in minutes online. We bring you our picks for the best Meaningful Gifts.
1. Women's empowerment
Standing on their own feet is not easy for women in many countries. The way forward for them may be to own their own business. Donating a business skill and financial literacy course will enable these women to open their businesses and become self-reliant. Tasneem, a mother of three children from Iraq, longed for self-sufficiency. She had loved plants since childhood and thought she might try selling them.
She took a business skills course and received a small grant to start her business. Today, she runs a successful horticulture business, and customers come from far and wide to see her. "I learn from videos on the internet how to take care of plants and how to propagate and grow them. My husband is also involved in my business," she says proudly. Tasneem also trains other girls on how to grow plants so that they can start their own similar business. "My life has completely changed. I have gained confidence and feel freer," she adds.
Having a secure source of livelihood is a necessity for a self-reliant life. However, in many regions of the world, earning opportunities are very limited, and supporting livelihood security is therefore crucial. Whether providing the necessary skills through various training courses or encouraging people to set up their own businesses through micro-grants and business skills courses.
2. Home care
Many seniors live alone, and as they age, they often find it increasingly difficult to care for themselves. The situation is particularly acute in Moldova, for example, which is facing an ageing population and a significant outflow of young people abroad. The older generation is staying, and the ageing people struggle with a lack of care and loneliness. Caritas Czech Republic sets up home care centres in the country to provide the elderly with the care they need and social contact. The care of an occupational therapist is also helpful in making seniors and people with special needs self-sufficient in normal daily activities. This person trains them in everyday self-care activities, enabling them to be as self-sufficient as possible. A meaningful donation of a series of sessions with an occupational therapist will support independence.
Give the gift of home care centre services or self-care training, and give seniors a peaceful and dignified old age.
3. Resilience to climate change
Climate change is one of the greatest threats we face as humanity. It is also having a dramatic impact on farmers in developing countries. They are consequently losing the ability to continue to earn a living. Therefore, measures to help affected farmers adapt to a changing climate are essential. One solution is to grow particular crops that can withstand a changing climate.
Climate change and severe drought have also affected Nosika, a Zambian farmer who was at risk of losing his only source of livelihood. "I did not know much about climate change, I didn't know how and what crops to grow when there is drought," says this leading farmer. Caritas Czech Republic provides farmers like Mr Nosiku with special training to help them withstand climate change. They learn what crops can withstand drought and can be grown in a changing climate or how to manage water efficiently. Caritas Czech Republic also provides farmers with drought-resistant seeds to continue making a living.
Donating a 25kg bag of special drought-resistant seed or training in organic and sustainable farming will help farmers avoid losing their livelihoods to a changing climate.
Give climate change resilience
4. Sewing course
Knowing how to sew allows you to open your own business and secure a sustainable livelihood. A donation worth the cost of a sewing course will enable people in need to become self-sufficient and have a chance for a better life. Eman from Iraq also longed for self-sufficiency. She has always wanted to become a tailor. But standing on their own feet is very difficult for women in Iraq. Thanks to Caritas Czech Republic, Eman learnt how to run her own business and received a small grant to get started. Today, this mother of 5 is a sought-after seamstress who helps provide for her family.
Caritas Czech Republic supports tailors and provides training in various other trades, including beekeeping and fridge repair. Nicholas from Zambia has also benefited from this. As a child of refugees, he had almost no chance of finding work and supporting himself. Thanks to Caritas Czech Republic, Nicholas attended a course to train as a fridge repairer. "Today I earn my living from this," says proudly Nicholas, who has opened his workshop thanks to a small grant. "I enjoy my work, and I am very grateful for Caritas' support," says the young refugee.
5. Education
The way out of poverty is through education. The more education a person receives, the better his or her chances of securing a livelihood. Promoting school attendance, training in specific skills and courses in financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills are thus a clear path to self-reliance.
However, children who grow up in disadvantaged circumstances do not have as many opportunities to change their fate. At the same time, many families worldwide cannot afford to send their children to school. Donate to education, and you ensure a better future for children. Supporting low-threshold centres and after-school activities gives children a better start in life and a chance to break out of poverty.
How it works
Giving a Meaningful Gift is easy. People can do their Christmas shopping online in a few minutes at www.smysluplnydar.cz. Just choose from the Meaningful Gifts, pay, print out the gift certificate, wrap it, and put it under the tree. Help people like Eman or Nosiku get on their feet and give a Meaningful Gift for Christmas. It pays off!
