Alternative Gift Markets: Life-giving Gifts with Global Impact

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Noor El-Salam https://www.noorelsalam.org/

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Alternative Gift Markets: Life-giving Gifts with Global Impact

This year marks the 30th year that our congregation is supporting Alternative Gifts International (AGI) and our contributions have totaled more than $205,000. Alternative gift market tables will be open during coffee hours in Advent. A big appeal of alternative markets is the concept of “gifting” support of good causes to people you care about. What an appropriate way to observe the Christmas spirit!

And it’s green—no wrapping paper to add to the landfill and perfect gifts for those who are hard to shop for or who already have too many “things.” When you shop at the market table, you choose greeting cards and get notes about the designated projects to give to your friends and family.

Alternative gifts provide a vehicle for supporting our brothers and sisters around the world. Not only are these gifts that keep on giving, but their impact is also huge for the amount invested. For example, $6 provides an anti-malarial vaccine and $37 provides penicillin in Burma, and $34 provides a safe-birthing kit in Kenya. AGI’s focus is on helping individuals, giving them the foundation of education and training, offering access to supplies and health care, and providing means for them to break the cycle of poverty.

Why do we support alternative gifts every year?

Because in Ethiopia where children struggle to attain literacy AGI funds donkey-delivered libraries to remote areas.
Because in DR Congo, children with disabilities often do not attend school AGI funds leg braces and tuition so they participate in getting an education.
Because rural Africa lacks adequate transportation AGI supports the distribution of bikes to community-owned shops in Namibia, Tanzania, and Zambia.

Alternative gift giving is a way to invest in the ministries of our church, such as Climate Justice. For example, deforestation contributes to poverty and endangers both plants and animals with extinction. A project in Haiti will plant 25 trees for a donation of $28. Additionally, the planting of the trees brings income to rural Haitians.

Indigenous women farmers around the globe have been devastated by global warming. A donation of $6 buys seeds or $17 buys tools and equipment for a woman farmer. Energy-efficient greenhouses and water systems are also supported. AGI points out, “This gift supports women farmers and positions them to be leaders in the climate change arena!”

The Board of Missions and Christian Social Action has also identified two projects championed by members of our congregation for targeted outreach this Advent season. These projects are included on the “shopping list” so that you can easily support them. Noor El-Salam (coordinated by Susan Bryant and Armine Tarhini) provides schooling, supplies, and support for displaced Syrian children in Lebanon. The Kenya Education Foundation (coordinated by Jim Knopf) provides tuition and books for students in Kenya.

The gift markets will also feature sales from a local mission partner, Mindful Works. Mindful Works provides job-driven training and real employment opportunities to those in recovery from mental health challenges through the design and production of high quality, locally crafted products. The benefits of work and employment are a proven and crucial component of recovery. If you’re looking for something beyond mass produced items for holiday gifts, Mindful Works will be selling hand-crafted poufs, pillows, socks, other home décor, and baked goods–creative gifts that make a difference in the lives of the program participants!

Fair trade items of chocolate, coffee, and tea will also be available.