How Alternative Christmas giving for individual gifts work
 How your church can get involved

2007 Alternative Christmas Suggested Projects

A General Gift to Global Ministries that will provide support for our approximately 90 church partners in 90 countries in the world, will support missionaries serving in dozens of countries, and will provide support for missionary visits to congregations and People-to-People Pilgrimage experiences.

A Gift for Missionary Support in order to allow Global Ministries to appoint new missionaries or to support the assignment of a particular missionary.

A Gift to a Specific Program of our global church partners:

Southern Asia

India: North India drought relief program - The Synodical Board of Social Services (SBSS) is the development program of the Church in North India and is working with local social services in 2,500 villages in Northern India. One challenge the SBSS is working on is water access. Specific challenges vary from region to region and include issues such as deforestation, water management, drought, criminal control and women's place in society. Currently, the SBSS is in the process of developing appropriate responses for regional issues. A gift of $60 can pay the stipend of one volunteer for a month. $120 can provide job training for one woman or unemployed youth. Gifts totaling $3,000 can help improve bore holes or wells, or build water tanks in rural communities.

Laos: Support for Primary Schools - Global Ministries and ecumenical partner Church World Service are bringing resources and programs to Laotian elementary schools. The program concentrates on aid to schools in remote, rural, mountain communities made up of ethnic minority populations. Elementary students gain access to story and text books, Lao musical instruments and materials for art activities. Local schools are also supplied with chalkboards, chalk, waste baskets, tools for vegetable-raising projects and for carpenter classes, materials to make looms for weaving classes, and sports equipment.  $30 can help provide materials for one child for one year. For $300, a new elementary school library can be outfitted with bookshelves and books.

Middle East/Europe

Syria: Small enterprise project for the differently-abled - In Syria, differently-abled people do not have basic rights and privileges. Most are unable to find jobs and cannot support themselves. The Greek Orthodox Youth Movement has established a special group for speech and hearing-impaired young adults and is planning a training program on beginning small enterprises for income generation. The project will be an example for how differently-abled individuals can be empowered to participate fully in the community, including economically. A gift of $50 can help pay for books, folders, and other materials needed for the course. $200 could provide transportation and communication services.

Israel/Palestine: Olive tree planting campaign - Olive trees have been cultivated for over 4,000 years and are a symbol of peace as well as a traditional symbol of Palestinian people. Over 250,000 have been uprooted since 2000 in building the wall around the West Bank and to prevent farmers from earning income to support their families. The East Jerusalem YWCA and the YMCA of Palestine are working to replant 50,000 olive trees in areas where they have been uprooted. A gift of $20 covers the cost of a young tree, including distribution, planting, and information on tending for the olive tree. Sponsor labels are inscribed with the donor's name and the quote "chose to keep hope alive."

Palestine: Shepherd's Field YMCA - To the east of Bethlehem lays Shepherd's Field, where tradition holds the angels first told the shepherds about Jesus' birth. The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) has been a close program partner with Global Ministries for many years. The YMCA provides emergency and rehabilitation programs including temporary housing, counseling, and training, and also offers youth activities for the community. Program staff train people working with children in crisis intervention and do advocacy work on behalf of war-scarred children. The YMCA continues vital programs in the midst of difficult circumstances including facilities severely damaged by the fighting. A gift of $100 can provide services to help a Palestinian child learn to cope.  

Latin America/Caribbean

Argentina: Risitas Nursery School - Established by a Global Ministries missionary in 1944, Risitas Nursery School is located in the outskirts of Buenos Aires. "Risitas" which means "laughter," provides opportunities for growth and fun for infants through 5-year-olds. A gift of $30 can provide supplies for educational programs like their gardening projects. $50 can provide a healthy meal for the children.

Honduras: Theological Community of Honduras (CTEH) - CTEH offers an exciting approach to theological, biblical, and pastoral education that emphasizes the inter-relation that exists between faith, politics, society, and the church. In addition to theological education, CTEH offers programs for basic education, HIV/AIDS educational programs, a clinic to meet basic health care needs, and a technical program for youth at risk. A gift of $30 can provide educational materials or clinic supplies. $50 can help provide medicines, food, or library books.

East Asia/Pacific

China: Small loans for farmers affected by HIV/AIDS - loans allow farmers to purchase goats which provide milk as a form of nutrition for children, elderly, and the sick. Goats also provide income when there is extra milk or a baby goat which can be sold or raised for additional milk. $44 buys a goat and provides $3 for the local organization which administers the loans.

Korea: Mission programs of the Presbyterian Church of the Republic of Korea (PROK) - For over 50 years, the PROK has led the way in the understanding that mission in society is integral to the church. The PROK has many programs which include My Sister's Place, Family of Jesus, and Sungnam Migrant Worker's House. A gift of $50 can provide free lunch to 15 women seeking counseling and other services. A gift of $100 can provide training for one adult to help them learn to work with troubled youth. 

Africa

Republic of Congo: Soap project - Women learn about the basics of soap preparation, the basic ingredients of the soap and then how to prepare and cut the soap. The soap-making project will begin training a second group of women in Brazzaville and will begin a group in the city of Pointe Noire. This effort will provide important needed income for the participating women and their families. A gift of $25 can provide basic ingredients for making soap. A gift of $75 can help another woman be trained in the soap-making project.

South Africa: Ons Plek ("Our Place") - Ons Plek is the only intake shelter for the unseen street children (the girls) in Cape Town. Each year between 100 and 150 girls leave their homes to escape physical abuse and neglect, or they are sent away when their families can no longer support them.  Ons Plek provides the girls with a safe environment and shelter, while providing appropriate programs for the girls based on an assessment of each girl's circumstances.  Activities are available every day of the year. Baking, crafts, visits to museums, and traditional African story telling sessions are examples of activities available to girls who stay at Ons Plek during the holidays. A gift of $25 can help support activities for a girl during the holidays. A gift of $50 can help provide the counseling necessary to assess girls' needs.