The True Meaning of Christmas: Giving to Those in Need

Around the world, many families will be celebrating their holidays with much to smile for. For families like Mrs Lan’s, it was often difficult to do. 

Mrs Lan’s eight-year-old son, Quan*, and 12-year-old daughter, Loah*, were born with vision impairments in Vietnam, where around 6.2 million people live with a disability. Despite its prevalence, people with disability in Vietnam often face lifelong disadvantage and discrimination. 

“Because Quan cannot see clearly, it is hard for him to make friends with classmates. He has a hard time catching up with his studies,” Mrs Lan said.   

When she joined the Empowerment of People with Disabilities project, run by Caritas Australia’s partner, the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) and supported by the Australian Government, through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), their lives changed.   

The program provides community-based classes for children living with a disability, allowing them to play and socialise with other children by using quality mobility aids and devices. With activities including reading, writing, colouring and practising mobility exercises, the class gives children like Quan the ability to feel like a regular student. 

“In the past, my children often sat in one place without talking or making friends with anyone. Now it is different,” said Mrs Lan. “Quan is more active and smiles when there is something funny. He often goes out to play with his neighbours and friends.”      

Every child deserves to smile like Quan now does. Your Christmas donations will help change a child’s life and give them the happiness they deserve.  

Give the gift of hope to those in need this Christmas with a Global Gift, our charitable Christmas cards.

We call them Global Gifts because the funds raised from these gifts support our work in empowering individuals and families across the world, including here in Australia. 

Our Global Gifts are an opportunity for you to make a real difference, helping to bring the gifts of education, empowerment, and health to help communities overcome the challenges of poverty. 

Help children living with severe disabilities by giving the Gift of Education: a gift that will help increase confidence and social participation. Give those living in poverty the Gift of Empowerment: a gift that will help equip and nourish vulnerable families to become healthier and stronger. Or give the Gift of Health: a gift that provides improved access to clean water for drinking, hygiene, and sanitation. 

Our beautiful gift cards start from as little as $10 and come in both printed and e-card versions.

No matter which one you choose, your Christmas gift donation will be helping communities living in poverty build brighter futures for themselves.