CARE Canada has gifts to help families lift themselves out of poverty.

Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading international humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. In more than 80 countries, CARE works with the poorest communities.

Piglet for a household

Perhaps you’re asking yourself: “What help is a piglet?” Piglets can be bred and sold, providing a new source of income. So now when someone asks you why you gave a piglet as a gift, you can tell them you helped someone start on the path of a sustainable livelihood. Or you can just oink at them, whichever you prefer. Link here.

A pair of chickens

So this year, get them something truly unique like a pair of chickens. “CHICKENS?” you say? Yes. Chickens. First of all, they’re amazing, and who doesn’t want something amazing? Second of all, they can help a family lift themselves out of poverty.

For Hanifa Sakhi, chickens meant the difference between life on the street in Afghanistan and a thriving home. When her husband disappeared in Kabul, Hanifa and her six children were left to fend for themselves, and her boys sold chewing gum on street corners to pay for food. Today, Hanifa lives in a small house and earns enough money to feed her family and to send her youngest son to school all because someone bought her some chickens. Link here.

A pair of breeding goats

Beyond being very cute, goats are a valuable addition to a family. Goats can produce milk which in turn provides nutrition and protein. And a pair of breeding goats can produce baby goats, which can then be traded or sold to another family for vegetables, fruit and other necessities. As more baby goats are born, a sustainable livelihood is created when goats find new homes throughout the community. Plus once you give a pair of breeding goats, you'll be able to say "We're just waiting for the kids to be born!" Link here.