Giving hope: 7 ways to make a difference this Advent and Christmas

Advent is a season of preparation, a time to look to the future with hope and to ready our hearts and lives for the coming of Christ, the greatest gift of all. Advent is an opportunity to reflect the mercy and generosity of God in our own lives, spreading hope through acts of kindness and compassion—a task that takes on even greater significance in light of the Jubilee Year that is almost upon us.

As we prepare to make room for Emmanuel, God with us, there are many ways we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in our communities and around the world who are struggling. Here are seven ways you can spread joy and hope this Christmas:

1. Jesuit Mission Australia—making an impact for those in need

In the mountain community of Railaco, Timor-Leste, 16-year-old Ana dreams of becoming an international journalist or photographer. Thanks to Jesuit Mission Australia’s ‘Gifts for Change’ program, supporters can help make dreams like Ana’s a reality. These gifts go beyond traditional presents, making a real impact in communities in need:

• Fund a teacher or scholarship.
• Buy a bicycle to help a child travel to school.
• Provide medical care, food or safety for families affected by conflict or disaster.

Each gift comes with a personalised card featuring artwork by students like Ana and 11-year-old Theavy from Cambodia, showcasing the direct impact of these gifts on young lives.

To purchase a Gift for Change, visit https://fundraise.jesuitmission.org.au/shop/category/gifts-for-change-postal or call 02 8918 4109.

2 Caritas Australia—helping to create brighter futures

Caritas Australia offers two ways to give this Christmas:

Global Gifts

Each of Caritas’ Global Gift cards reflects real items and support that will help assist the world’s most vulnerable people in their fight against poverty and injustice.

With nine cards on offer, you can choose from gifts of education, gifts of health and gifts of empowerment. One card signifies a donation that can support mums caring for children with disabilities, while another could provide a child in Zimbabwe with access to education. The purchase of a pack of five cards can help transport food parcels to Tsunami-hit outer islands in Tonga.

To purchase a Global Gift, visit: www.globalgifts.org.au or call 1800 024 413. 

Christmas Appeal

This year’s Caritas Christmas appeal focuses on providing clean water and essential support to families in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

Sakhina’s story highlights the impact of improved sanitation facilities on dignity and independence. ‘I hoped my children would be safe,’ Sakhina says. ‘But it was not so simple. Now the danger to my children was the dirty water, the inaccessible and exposed latrines, and the difficulty keeping clean.’ Thanks to Caritas Bangladesh’s program, supported by Caritas Australia, handrails have been installed at their nearest latrine, allowing Sakhina’s daughter Noor, who lives with a disability, to use it independently and with dignity.

‘Christmas is a time for generosity and compassion, when we take the time to reflect on those in need and share our blessings with them,’ says Michael McGirr, Mission Director at Caritas Australia. ‘Today the world is full of forgotten crises, with many in need of simple but life-saving interventions that give them access to something as precious as clean water. By donating, you can respond to that by helping families like Sakhina’s overcome hardship and create brighter futures.’

Donate at www.caritas.org.au/christmas-appeal or call 1800 024 413.

3. Catholic Mission—providing life-giving clean water in Myanmar

In conflict-torn Myanmar, more than two million people are enduring displacement and hardship. Catholic Mission, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Yangon, is working to bring clean water to these families. Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, says, ‘The people we serve have endured unimaginable loss—homes destroyed, livelihoods taken and lives uprooted. Without clean water, their suffering is multiplied. Providing water purification systems is a gift of life itself, one drop at a time.’

By giving to Catholic Mission’s Christmas appeal, you can help them to:

• install water purification tanks in nine locations
• provide water filters for safe drinking, cooking and cleaning
• prevent illnesses caused by contaminated water.

Support this life-giving project at www.catholicmission.org.au/christmas

4. Order of Malta Australia—showing people they are not alone

As the cost of living rises and affordable housing becomes scarce, more people are facing ‘invisible homelessness’—sleeping in cars, couch surfing, or living in tents. demand for the services of the Order of Malta Australia continues to grow, with need fast outstripping supply.

‘Our guests report that they frequently skip meals between services due to soaring food prices,’ says National Hospitaller John Murphy. ‘Those we meet at our Mobile Community Cafe comment how important our weekly visits are as they feel increasing isolated. Transport costs or social activities are simply unaffordable, and they feel they have no other choice than to stay at home, alone.

‘For all these groups, Christmas can be particularly difficult, and our services provide not only practical support but important, compassionate interactions with our volunteers,’ says Mr Murphy.

A Christmas gift to the Order of Malta could make a huge difference to someone in our community who is struggling.

• $100 could fund 15 hygiene packs for distribution to the homeless and disadvantaged.
• $200 could provide coats for six people sleeping rough next winter.
• $500 could provide 50 nutritious meals to the homeless, disadvantaged and lonely

Donate at www.orderofmalta.org.au/i-want-to-help/donate-now.

5. CatholicCare Victoria—offering hope in the darkest of times

Feeling alone and having no one to turn to can drain hope and joy from even the brightest of us. For many years, Heather* and her son Noah* were subjected to the horrors of domestic violence. But when she saw the chance to start anew, Heather and her son took that chance and fled—to a new home, a new community, a fresh start.

But there were many hurdles blocking them from the bright future they so desperately needed and deserved, from unsafe housing to being turned away from local services and supports. ‘Anything that could go wrong did go wrong,’ Heather recalls. ‘It was just out of my control, and it was very hard to be a full-time carer for a child who’s going through a lot.’

With no family or friends to turn to, Heather knew she couldn’t do it alone, but by donating to CatholicCare Victoria this Christmas, you will be helping families like Heather and Noah by helping to provide compassionate care from specialised case workers, tailored parenting support, a helping hand when they have nowhere to turn, and hope during the darkest of times.

Visit www.catholiccarevic.org.au/article/christmas-appeal/ for more information and to donate.

6. St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria—helping families survive the cost-of-living crisis

This Christmas, Vinnies is calling for support to help families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. As inflation and interest rates surge, many vulnerable families like Kelly’s are finding it increasingly difficult to afford basic necessities such as food, electricity and rent.

Kelly’s story highlights the challenges faced by many. Despite her husband working in hospitality, their income is insufficient to cover rising expenses. ‘When the electricity bill came in, I literally dropped to my knees. There was no way we could pay it,’ Kelly says.

With rent consuming over half their income, the family is experiencing acute housing stress. Vinnies has provided assistance with rent, utilities, food, school expenses and bedding for Kelly’s daughters. ‘To get some help really changes everything,’ she adds.

As costs continue to rise, families like Kelly’s need urgent support this Christmas. You can help by donating to the Vinnies’ Christmas appeal, which provides food, pays bills, and offers essential items to those struggling to make ends meet.

To donate or learn more about how you can help, call Vinnies on 13 18 12 or visit https://donate.vinnies.org.au/christmas-appeal-vic

VMCH—providing a little joy at Christmas

Each year, VMCH relies on donations from its generous supporters to ensure hundreds of vulnerable people receive a little joy at Christmas through its hamper appeal.

It’s been an especially tough year for many. The cost of living has pushed people to the brink, with nothing left to spend on luxuries. For some, even the necessities are out of reach.

‘We all (residents) really appreciated the hampers and were very pleased to get one, says affordable homes resident Bobbie of the hamper she received from VMCH at Christmas. ‘I think it means a lot to a lot of people, especially if they’re alone [around Christmas]. There is a beautiful saying that goes a bit like this: “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind always.”’

This year will be VMCH’s biggest hamper drive yet, with 850 people in need across the organisation’s affordable homes, home care, and disability services. Any donation, big or small, will make a huge difference.

Donate to VMCH’s Christmas Hamper Appeal at www.vmch.com.au/donate-now/make-a-donation/