Help Someone Out of Poverty This Christmas

Christmas is a time for giving. In a little over two weeks, we become pre-occupied with searching for a perfect gift to give our loved ones. Something special that will not collect dust on the shelf or be stacked away in the closets for the rest of their life. It is indeed a difficult task to search for a perfect, meaningful gift. 

The past few days I have been pondering on helping someone get over their misery. Everyday on my way home from work, I see families living under bridges, children begging in the streets, minors selling flower leis to earn a few coins. The news of poverty and hunger in some parts of the world is heartbreaking. Children who have been reduced to skin and bones brings me to tears. 

Last year, on Christmas eve, I packed a hot, home cooked meal, a fruit and a bottle of water in a brown paper bag and walked around my neighborhood to look for the old, homeless man who sleeps on the sidewalk. When I found him, I gave him the bag and said, "Merry Christmas, Sir. Please eat and enjoy your Christmas dinner." He looked at me with those eyes that were full of disbelief. I had to turn away before I started to cry. I looked up to heaven and whispered, "Thank You, Lord, for the blessings you have given me. I know I complain a lot about things, but pointing me to this poor homeless man has given me deeper appreciation of what I have. I am truly blessed." 

This Christmas, I have once again been pointed to a mission that would help my brothers and sisters who are trying their best to live from day to day. A noble group of people are working to alleviate the suffering of the people in sub-Saharan Africa. Send a Cow is an organization that helps raise funds to bring these people out of poverty. Based in the United Kingdom, this charitable group extends their kindness to a country thousands of miles away. Send a Cow works with poor families in seven African countries, providing practical farming assistance that will last for generations to come and supporting families through every step of their journey out of poverty.

This year's goal is to be able to raise 20,000 festive gifts that will definitely make a difference to poverty-striken families in Africa. To help increase awareness for this campaign, Send a Cow tapped their ambassador, Gloria the Cow, wearing a specially made, custom fit jumper sporting designs that represent the gifts that can be found in the Christmas Catalogue. 2014 marks the 13th year of Send a Cow's Christmas catalogue, the proceeds of which have helped over a million people (and counting!) overcome poverty. 

This is Gloria the Cow, modelling her custom made knit jumper

If you really want to make a difference, now is the time. Speak to your family and friends. Encourage them to spare a little to make a BIG impact for a family thousands of miles away struggling to survive. Better yet, send your friends a card that says  "I am giving you a special gift this Christmas. I have donated to Send a Cow  in your name. Thank you for making someone's life better this Christmas. I hope you do the same and pay it forward." 

You can view the Christmas Catalogue here. For more information, contact Cow PR at sendacow@cowpr.com. For print copies of the catalogue that you can show your friends and families, please contact 01225 874 222 (U.K.)

There has never been a better time than now to feel the true meaning of Christmas. 

Note: This is NOT  a sponsored post. I have been given an opportunity by Send a Cow to practice my Christian faith by increasing awareness for the purpose of alleviating poverty in Africa.