Last year I was being asked again and again what people could buy me for a Christmas gift. Why is this such a hard thing to answer? I tried hard to think about what I needed, but I struggled. I have so much more than I need that I couldn't think of anything I would like as a gift. This is not unique to me, I think if we were pressed many of us would face the same predicament here in the Western world. Yet, ask this question in another country or circumstance and I think it would be a very easy one to answer…. water, accommodation, food, security, clothes, school equipment, help with bills… the list goes on...
So instead of receiving anything from anyone and giving, I propose it all goes into a pot to donate to carefully selected causes.
The charities / causes I have chosen to support this year are as follows:
Renewed Hope
A local charity based in Redhill providing practical solutions and emotional support to the homeless, vulnerable and isolated of East Surrey. https://www.renewedhope.org.uk/homepage/what-we-do/winter-night-shelter/
Nitwiriza Counselling Center Uganda
Nitwiriza counselling center Uganda is a Christian orphanage in the Kampala region of Uganda. Their mission is to take in and rehabilitate homeless children off the streets of Uganda providing accommodation, food and education to children who are homeless and or orphans. Sam is the lead volunteer there and oversees the centre's running, which was until recently, purely funded by Western donations. They have recently built a small medical centre to generate some income to continue their work. I have a personal relationship with Sam and can verify that 100% of the funds go straight to the orphanage. nitwiriza.com (images directly from the orphanage)
One of the accommodation rooms
Sam and one of the rehabilitated boys from many years back.