World Vision: Gifts help relieve famine effect

The United Nations recently declared the first famine of the 21st century in the Horn of Africa. As a result, charitable giving may be of interest to your readers.  Below is information about World Vision’s gift catalog items that will directly help those impacted by the devastating famine. The three gifts below represent or come directly from Kenya, Ethiopia and Nairobi, but more importantly the proceeds of these gifts help children and families in need:

-     Coffee from Kenya: For a donation of $50 gift givers will receive a bag of coffee dressed in traditional East African fabrics hand-sewn by local women. It also comes with a hand-carved olivewood scoop made to benefit over 200 orphans of the Kamba tribe.

-     “Rahel” Doll from Ethiopia: Hearts for Hearts Girls dolls represent girls around the world who are working to make a change. For a $125 donation children can cherish Rahel from Ethiopia and learn how their peers in Ethiopia live and contribute to their families, communities and country.       

-     Ornaments from Nairobi: These handmade Zakale (meaning "reuse") wire and bead ornaments are from Nairobi. For a $150 donation the recipient will be given this set, which is made from recycled materials by a group of Kenyan artisans reclaiming their own lives from poverty.   

These life-changing gifts help those in East Africa, and are also unique, meaningful items for the recipients.  In addition to these gifts, items that provide food such as goats, sheep and chickens can be purchased in the name of a loved one. At $75, goats are the most popular because they nourish families with healthy milk, cheese and yogurt.  Additional gifts can be viewed at www.worldvisiongifts.org.