This section of the page was originally inspired as an alternative for Christmas giving. But we wanted to leave it available all the time.........
Christmas is almost here and we would like to bring to attention, a couple of wonderful organizations that we have come across through our travels. If you have thought about donating to a charitable organization or giving some alternative Christmas gifts to friends and family, or even if you hadn't thought of it yet, here are a few to consider.
The following are all reputable organizations that Matthew and Nina have had personal experience and exposure to. They each have a website with an Online Giving function.
If you do end up giving to any of these organizations, we would be very encouraged to hear about it!
Founded in 1996 by Oregonian alpaca breeders, this organization is dedicated to the native people, specifically children, living in the highlands of Peru. These people, the Quechua, are among the poorest of the poor. Quechua Benefit's main work is in dental care. They have one full-time employee, Peruvian Dr. Willie, who travels from village to village performing dental work and teaching hygiene. Each year teams of volunteer dentists make short-term trips to the area to assist in make-shift clinics set up in the most rural of villages. Matthew and I spent a day tagging along with Dr. Willie and a dental team, and we were very impressed. This organization is run by a board of volunteers and virtually all the money goes to Peru.
For all you coffee lovers who not only appreciate a good cup, but also care about where it comes from. This non-profit organization seeks to assist Guatemalan coffee farming families in Fair Trade coffee production. They also help educate through eco-touism and realize sustainable solutions to community needs such as clean water. Matthew and I had one of our most memorable experiences spending the weekend at one of the farms they partner with, Finca Nueva Alianza. This co-operative coffee and macadamia farm of 40 families has an unbelievably touching story of overcoming adversity and fighting for their land and community.
This one is very close to my heart as many of you know, and I fully believe in their mission. Compassion's reach streches all over the globe helping inpoverished children though education, community, food, and clothing, essentials of life which so many children are denied access to. Although it is possible to make a one-time donation, I plea with you to consider sponsoring a child through Compassion and change a life forever. Through prayer and relationship (you can write to and recieve letters from your sponsored child) you can really make a difference and be changed yourself. To read about our personal experience with this organization, see our story in the October page.
World vision has many projects all over the world, from emergency relief to child sponsorship. They also have a fantastic gift giving program. You can select where your money will go from a number of areas such as buying a goat or alpaca for a family, giving money to help build a health clinic, or buying a fishing kit. You can give your monetary gift in the name of a friend or family member, and WV will send a card with an explanation of the gift that will go to a needy family or community.
Unfortunatetly, this organization does not have an online giving function, but the website lists an address that you can send a check to. This organization seeks to empower children and mothers living in poverty in the Cuzco, Peru area. They have programs designed to teach mothers about basic healthcare and nutrition for their children. They also have a program offered to young adults, that trains them in culinary arts, serving in a restaurant, hair cutting, and other simple proffessions, giving them pracitcal training and on the job experience as they have their own restaurants run by the chefs/waiters in training. Which, also helps to generate funds for the program. What a sustainable way of helping!!
Another Peru based organization that supports children and families living in extreme poverty. They have many prgrams including a school for children, medical attention, educational programs related to personal hygiene and healthcare, legal assistance, vocational training, and more. They are based in Huaraz, volunteers welcome!