Make Christmas Matter

SCIAF is urging shoppers across Scotland to buy Real Gifts for family and friends this Christmas and make a real difference to communities living in poverty across the world.

The new range of festive Real Gifts is available to buy now – click here to visit the online shop.

This year, there is a great selection of life-changing presents to choose from including seeds (£10) which enable families to grow enough food, and basket weaving (£19) which provides women with the training and equipment they need to earn a living.

SCIAF Real Gifts are an ethical alternative to traditional presents that allow people to show their loved ones how much they care while providing practical support to poor communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

This year, shoppers will not only get a beautiful card with each Real Gift they buy, they will also receive a specially designed fridge magnet to remind them of the difference their gift will make.

SCIAF’s Frances Rayner said:

“Real Gifts make great presents because they allow you to share something extraordinary with the people you love. Instead of exchanging socks or book tokens this Christmas, you could give a gift that helps to change lives – like chickens, essential medicines or water for an entire village!

“By choosing a SCIAF Real Gift, you give people in developing countries the tools training and equipment they need to work their way out of poverty and hunger and towards a brighter future.”

Across Africa, Asia and Latin America, many thousands of children are denied an education because their parents can’t afford the basic items they need to attend school.

SCIAF’s star gift this Christmas is a school starter pack. For just £26, you can share the gift of education and provide a child with everything they need to go to school, including books, stationery, a school bag, and even a uniform.

Thanks to the practical support she received from SCIAF, Spes from Burundi was able to gain an education and fulfil her potential. Now she is sharing her gift with a new generation of children.

She said: “Without this help I wouldn’t have been able to go to school. Now I am a teacher and I love it.”

For as little as £10, you can do something amazing this Christmas and help someone living in poverty to create a better life for themselves and their family.

When you buy a Real Gift, the money you spend goes directly to a SCIAF project in Africa, Asia or Latin America which provides a poor community with the item you have chosen. If SCIAF raises enough money for that project your donation will go towards a similar one. Shoppers can also make a general donation to SCIAF in someone’s name and receive a gift card and magnet in return.

Click here to order your Real Gifts online now or call 0141 354 5555 to get your free copy of the Real Gifts Christmas catalogue.