This November and December, the Oxfam Galway shop is urging people to choose their Christmas presents from its range of Unwrapped gifts.
Since Oxfam first launched its Unwrapped range of Christmas presents more than 500,000 people in countries like Tanzania and Malawi have had their lives improved and at the same time mums, dads, grannies, and teachers all around Galway have received Unwrapped gifts like goats, seeds, and school books that have made them smile.
The 2011 Oxfam Ireland Unwrapped range features four new gifts, bees (€26 ), 2 little ducks (€27 ), fix a well (€28 ), and a donkey (€47 ). The range also sees the return of the popular life-saving mosquito net (€7 ) gift.
In 2010, the Galway community raised a total of €11,577 towards Unwrapped. This year Oxfam Galway shop manager Sheila Phibbs is hoping Galway can match that total and spread even more goodwill at this time of year.
“It’s not every day your shopping list includes bees or a donkey; it might well include a turkey but not really one whose job is to be a life-changer. This year we’re hoping people will continue to buy Christmas gifts like these to help put an end to global poverty. If we can match last year’s total we can raise enough to help hundreds of families in Africa,” said Ms Phibbs.
Award-winning Irish radio and television presenter Lucy Kennedy is supporting Oxfam Unwrapped in 2011. As well as helping to promote the launch of the campaign, Ms Kennedy is a big fan of the gifts and the way they work. She said: “Oxfam Unwrapped gifts are fantastic Christmas presents. Every single gift is tailor-made to empower people and improve lives. They really are some of the best gifts you could give this year.”
When you give an Oxfam Unwrapped gift for Christmas it goes to an individual, a family, or even a whole community in the countries where Oxfam works. You receive an exclusive gift card and fridge magnet to give to your friend or family member on the day; or Oxfam can send it directly with a personalised message from you.
Prices in the 2011 range of Unwrapped gifts start from €7 for the mosquito net gift. Other gifts include chicks (€9 ), turkey (€20 ), piglets (€33 ), goat/s (€38/€76 ), cow (€105 ), farmyard (€179 ), cooking stove (€15 ), school books (€18 ), sunflowers (€24 ), drinking water for three families (€25 ), give girls a headstart (€30 ), plant trees (€36 ), feed a family (€45 ), supergranny (€59 ), water for a community [1,100 people] (€1,000 ) and water for a community [3,300 people] (€3,000 ).
The Oxfam Galway shop is located at Abbeygate house, 9 Lwr Abbeygate street, Galway. To purchase an Unwrapped gift, simply call in or call 1850 30 40 55, or visit the website for further information: www.oxfamireland.org/unwrapped
