Uninspired about what to do for your mom this Mother’s Day? Here are two ideas that promise to transcend typical offerings – they are gifts that will keep giving and will truly make a difference in the lives of the recipient.
Instead of sending another box of candy full of calories she’d rather avoid or flowers that will wilt in days, consider a gift that will make an unmeasurable difference in the life of someone on the other side of the world.
I can’t think of a better way to honor your mother than to help another.
Make a difference in the life of a Refugee
The International Rescue Committee has created a program that will allows you to honor your mother and make a real difference in the life of a refugee family.
For example with $24 you can purchase a safe birthing kit for a refugee mother, which includes vital supplies for a safe home delivery in a conflict zone, plus a blanket and clothing for a newborn other gifts are available and pricing start at $18:
- Mosquito nets for a refugee family in Africa – $18
- Pre-natal care for a new mother living in a war zone – $52
- One year’s education for an Afghan girl – $52
- A farming kit, including seeds and tools, to help a family grow food – $60
- Summer school for a newly arrived refugee child in the U.S. – $100
- Job training for a refugee to help her become self-sufficient – $330
Purchase one of these options and the International Rescue Committee(IRC) will send the honored mothers a beautiful, personalized Mother’s Day card in the gift-giver’s name.
The IRC has been helping refugees since 1933 and you can shop with confidence knowing that 90% of all the funds they raise goes directly to fund programs and services.
Finance an Entrepreneur Around the World
If you want to let your mother choose who she wants to help – send her a gift certificate to Kiva.org. I first heard about Kiva on Oprah and what they do is pretty extraordinary. They enable individuals to lend money to entrepreneurs across the globe.
Your mom will be able to browse through profiles of entrepreneurs from around the world, she’ll be able to decide who to fund with her gift certificate, and the best part – when the loan is repaid she’ll be able to fund another entrepreneur.
What I love about Kiva is they give people the tools they need to be able to create a sustainably better life. I’ve made several loans and have had all of them repaid – which is fun because then I can chose another person to fund!
I know for some – it might be a stretch to think about not sending a gift that mom can hold & touch – but this might just be more tangible than most options we would typically consider.
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