Giving the gift of fun
Find out how ActionAid's gift fund is
enriching the lives of children around the world
At ActionAid we know that our amazing child sponsors have a special relationship with their sponsored children and from time to time they would like the opportunity to send a gift.
Sending physical gifts to the children can end up being extremely expensive for us to process, they might fail to make it through customs and can occasionally cause jealousies amongst the children.
For this very reason, we have established a gift fund in every community that we work in, to make gift-giving easy, cost efficient and fair.
Donations to the gift fund are spent in a way that benefits as many children as possible. These special funds are used for a wide range of items and activities – often it is the children themselves who decide how donations will be used.
Over the years, thanks to the kind donations to the gift fund, we have provided thousands of children with sports equipment, toys, school bags and stationery, as well as organising fun activities like quizzes, game days and arts classes for everyone to enjoy.
Here are some of the amazing stories that show just how the gift fund is making a difference, bringing joy and laughter to children around the world.
Care packages for children in Afghanistan
Thanks to the generous donations made to the gift fund in Balkh, Afghanistan, ActionAid gave care packages containing soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and nail clippers to 220 children.
16-year-old Zahara, pictured centre, was grateful not just for the presents but also for the health lessons.
I have been coming to the ActionAid children’s centre in my village since 2014 and I have learnt a lot of things from my teacher. As well as receiving these care packages, we learned about the importance of looking after your health. I am sure that if we all washed our hands after going to the toilet and cleaned our teeth after eating, we would not become sick so easily. On behalf of the other children and students, I would like to thank our sponsors for their support."
Bags of joy in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, 570 children took part in a day of fun and games which included quizzes, drawing and handwriting competitions.
The competition winners including seven-year-old Sumaiya (centre), received a backpack each.
I mostly liked the handwriting competition. Many of us took part, but my handwriting was in the top three. I got a school bag as a gift. I had no bag to carry my books to school, so I am very happy that I have a nice bag now.”
In addition to these activities, ActionAid also provided eight child spaces with books for the children. This was to encourage good reading habits from an early age.
School uniforms in Burundi
In Karusi, Burundi, ActionAid provided children with school uniforms, notebooks, pens and pencils thanks to the gift fund.
11-year-old Kevine was among the 297 children to receive a new school uniform.
I’ve never had a school uniform before because my parents couldn’t afford to buy me one. I didn’t even hope that I would ever wear one. Before, I just had one set of clothes that I wore to school, at church and to social events. But in the rainy season, I would miss classes because my clothes were wet from the rain and didn’t dry in time for me to go to school. Now, it’s a different life because I have a uniform to put on at school and my other set of clothes to put on when at church and during other events.”
Fun and games in Cambodia
In one of the most remote villages in Kampot, southern Cambodia, 130 children took part in a day of games and activities.
The games included a sack race, an apple eating competition and ‘find the coin’. After the games, the children were given a lunch of chicken and vegetables and then presented with books, pens and water bottles.
14-year-old Chhoryi, pictured in a yellow ‘Jeep’ t-shirt was very pleased with her gifts.
It’s the first time I have come to an event like this and we had a great day; the elders in our village volunteered to cook for us. After lunch, we played games and ActionAid gave us all lovely gifts including books, pens, soap and beautiful water bottles for us to take water to school in.”
Toilets in Guatemala
In Izabal, eastern Guatemala, children in the community were asked how they would like the gift fund donations to be spent.
The children said their most urgent need was to have a toilet installed in their school. Thanks to generous donations to the gift fund, ActionAid has built a toilet and sink using cement, blocks, wooden planks, stone and sand.
12-year-old Eva was jubilant.
Our one toilet was in a very bad condition, but now thanks to ActionAid we have two toilets and two sinks. We also have a bathroom which is pretty and all the children in school use it. Regards and hugs to our friends overseas – thank you so much for the support for our school!”
Board games in India
In Tuticorin, India, local children asked for the gift fund donations to be used to purchase a board to play Carrom (an Indian board game).
This game is extremely popular, with competitions regularly organised amongst communities. The children wanted to participate in the local competitions, so asked for a board so they could practice.
We purchased six boards for six children’s centres, providing more than 200 children with the opportunity to play this popular game.
8-year-old Srinithi, (in the green dress) was delighted with the new board game.
I am just starting to learn how to play this game. My friends are teaching me the rules. Once I can play the game really well I would like to take part in the interschool competitions.”
Sports equipment in Kenya
In Kuria, western Kenya, we gave 17 primary schools a set of footballs, netballs, volleyballs, nets and skipping ropes.
Thanks to the gift fund, hundreds of young children now have access to wonderful play equipment during break times.
10-year-old Martha, holding the rope, was joyous as she skipped with her friend.
We are really happy to have fun days like today, that bring all the children together from different schools. Today has been one of the best days and I really appreciate the kindness of ActionAid and their supporters for making today one of the best days of my life.”
Spelling bee in Nigeria
In Gombe, north-eastern Nigeria, gift fund donations were used to organise a school spelling bee.
The competition aimed to encourage girls to continue their education, as well as improve understanding, and encourage collaboration between pupils.
The event was a huge success, with the girls winning the competition. They were overjoyed, particularly as it meant that they won new school bags and equipment.
12-year-old Aisha (pictured holding a blue bag) was overjoyed at winning the spelling bee.
This was the first time I participated in a spelling competition. I was afraid at first but became bold when we began answering the questions right. I couldn’t believe we won; I am so excited to have received a new school bag, pens and exercise books. Thank you, ActionAid, once again, for making me a brave and important schoolgirl. My friends in my class are also very happy.”
Play time in Rwanda
In Gisagara, southern Rwanda, ActionAid gave 60 children at a local early learning centre footballs and umbrellas from the gift fund donations.
Four-year-old Boy Peace (centre) loved his football.
I am very happy to play with these balls with my friends. I’m going to ask my teacher if I can bring it home."
The early learning centre that Boy Peace attends plays an important role in his community.
In addition to providing these young children with the opportunity to develop reading and writing skills from a young age, it also enables their mothers to look for work without having to find money to cover expensive child care.
Good night's sleep in Uganda
Following discussions with children and their parents in Masindi, central Uganda, we spent gift fund donations to buy new bedding for the children.
Previously, a lack of bedding was one of the major challenges faced by families in the area. Some children had no bedding at all and even some hospitalised children had been forced to borrow bedding from friends and neighbours.
Eight-year-old Sukuran (in red) is now looking forward to a good night's sleep.
I am so grateful for this gift from our friends – please pass on my greetings and appreciation. This has been the best gift I have ever received because it’s rare for a child in Masindi to have their own bedsheets; we do a lot of sharing at home.”
Comfortable chairs in Zambia
In Nakonde, Zambia, ActionAid was able to provide a local school with new chairs and tables.
Before this delivery, the children had to sit on the floor and were very unmotivated.
Now, thanks to the sponsors' generosity, 40 children are able to sit comfortably during classes.
Seven-year-old Gift (front) could not hide his happiness at sitting in his new chair.
I am happy to sit on a nice chair and use a nice table."
Want to bring joy to your sponsored child and their friends?
Here’s how you can donate to the ActionAid gift fund.
There are several ways you can make a donation towards the gift fund for your sponsored children and their community.
- Call our Supporter Contact Team on 01460 238 000 to make a debit or credit card donation. Our lines are open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm.
- Send a cheque, made payable to ActionAid. Please include your supporter reference number and clearly state that you are donating to the gift fund. Please send the cheque to the following address: ActionAid, Chard Business Park, Jarman Way, Chard, Somerset TA20 1FB.
- You can also contribute towards the gift fund by donating online.
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