Sponsor a Family for Christmas: Sharing Hopeful Gifts
When you sponsor a family for Christmas, you’re not just giving a gift. You’re providing a struggling family the means to break free from poverty and live with renewed hope. As many of us prepare to celebrate the holidays, it’s important to remember that countless families worldwide will have no bounty this season, just a continued period of hardship where even necessities are scarce. Your donation to GFA World can make a significant difference; it has the power to uplift lives—not just for Christmas but for the long term.
Through GFA World’s Christmas Gift Catalog,[1] you can give more than a fleeting present. You can provide lasting support by sponsoring a family for Christmas with transformative resources such as livestock, chickens or clean water. A cow, goat or chicken may seem like humble gifts, but they are a source of a better future for impoverished families.
A pair of goats can make a significant difference for needy families.
Goats produce highly nutritious milk, and when you discover how to donate a goat through GFA World, you’ll give a family the ability to nourish their children and earn income by selling the excess milk.
Consider the story of Janya and Kashvi, two South Asian widows.[2] Both women lost their husbands and, along with them, their income and their status in the village. As widows in a low-social-class community, Janya and Kashvi were left to fend for themselves, working grueling jobs for meager wages to feed their children. They were trapped in a cycle of poverty until GFA World stepped in with a special gift.
GFA missionary Punit, who knew the women through his church, received several pairs of goats donated through GFA World’s Christmas Gift Catalog to share with those in need. He immediately thought of Janya and Kashvi. When he delivered the goats to these women, everything changed. The goats provided the families with milk, which kept their children nourished, and the extra milk was sold to generate income.
“These ladies take such good care of their goats,” a GFA correspondent noted. “It’s obvious they don’t treat them like animals—they treat them like family members!”
With this new source of nourishment and income, Janya and Kashvi regained a sense of dignity and hope. They no longer had to struggle alone. Their goats helped meet their children’s needs, and one of the goats was expecting a kid, promising even more resources shortly. The ability to provide for their family and this financial stability gave these women a sense of empowerment and self-sufficiency.
In addition to donating goats, you can also learn how to donate a cow through GFA World.
Cows, like goats, provide families with milk that can be consumed or sold. A cow can bring long-term stability to impoverished families. Cow milk can be turned into butter, cheese or other products. Cow dung can be used or sold as fertilizer. Cows are precious!
Sharat’s[3] story illustrates the huge impact of a small gift. As a low-social-class father, Sharat was trapped in poverty, unable to provide for his children. But Sharat’s life took a dramatic turn when GFA missionary Harish’s church gave his family a pair of goats during their Christmas gift distribution.
Sharat’s children tasted nourishing goat’s milk for the first time. They also had enough milk to sell, which generated a steady source of income. The goats soon had offspring, and the family’s financial outlook improved. More importantly, Sharat and his family were so touched by the love they received through this gift that they opened their hearts to the Good News. Today, Sharat’s family is not just surviving; they are thriving. Their joy and gratitude are a testament to the life-changing impact of your donations, and this is the emotional reward you can expect from your contribution.
When you donate a chicken, you also help struggling families.
Chickens provide eggs, which are a crucial protein source for undernourished families. Surplus eggs can be sold in the market, an excellent way for families to earn a living!
By sponsoring a family for Christmas, you’re not just providing temporary relief. You’re equipping families with the tools to achieve long-term self-sufficiency. Livestock like goats, cows and chickens are a steady supply of food and resources that families can rely on for many years, thanks to your generous donation to GFA World.
At GFA World, we have seen firsthand how these gifts change lives. Families that once struggled to make ends meet are now thriving, and parents who were once forced to beg for food can now raise their children with dignity. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated! You could give a typical Christmas present, such as a toy, but why not also give a gift that will change lives for generations? Sponsoring a family for Christmas provides them with hope, security and the promise of a better future. Your donation will plant seeds of new beginnings for a needy family, producing a crop for their children and even their children’s children.
Visit GFA World’s Christmas Gift Catalog to donate to provide a cow, goat or chicken. You can make a lasting impact. Your gift could be the difference between hunger and hope. These gifts are not just for a season; they provide a lasting solution. Bring light and joy to those facing hardship. Be a part of their story and give them a hope-filled future.
Learn more about charitable Christmas gifts
[1] “Christmas Critter Campaign.” GFA World. Accessed November 13, 2024. https://www.gfa.org/giving/christmas.
[2] “They Aren’t Just Goats … They’re Family!” GFA World. Accessed November 13, 2024. https://www.gfa.org/giving/christmas/not-just-goats.
[3] Ibid.