a camel for Christmas
left and centre: camels are greatly valued in Northern Kenya
right: click on the catalogue image to order a copy
Shepherds watching their flocks, wise men riding on camels, a star over a stable - all are images which instantly evoke Christmas. But this year, camels will not only be found on the front of Christmas cards, thanks to the Methodist Relief and Development Fund.
Camels are a vital part of an exciting MRDF project which helps nomadic communities in Northern Kenya to survive and flourish in desert environments.
Camels are the most valuable form of livestock in such conditions. "When there is no water, camels can stay home with us and provide us with nutritious milk," explains 80-year-old Naporo Keupun, whose community will benefit. "They can also carry us when we are too weak to walk." MRDF partners do more than simply provide camels - training, veterinary care and other support are given too.
This Christmas, MRDF launches its first 'alternative gifts' catalogue including camels for Christmas, in addition to other 'gifts' which help street children in Bangladesh, farmers in Uganda and support a range of MRDF's work overseas. It can be used by churches for their Christmas fundraising, as well as for individual Christmas shopping.
Schemes like this are now very familiar, but do they really work? MRDF's Supporter Relations Director Amanda Norman believes that they do: "Alternative gifts are a fun way for people to connect with development work taking place in the world's poorest countries. We hope that by giving or receiving an MRDF gift this Christmas, people will be inspired to see how they can be part of making small miracles possible."
