Sciaf launches its ethical Real Gifts appeal
A charity boss is urging Scots to remember millions of families across the world living on a knife edge this Christmas because of poverty, hunger, war and natural disasters.
Launching his charity’s ethical Real Gifts appeal, Alistair Dutton, director of Sciaf (Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund), is calling on generous Scots to dig deep this festive season to change the lives of the world’s poorest.
He cited the case of disabled four-year-old Justin Rugama (pictured above), who lives in poverty-stricken Nicaragua.
The youngster has a rare birth defect called proximal femoral focal deficiency, which means he was born without the use of his legs – they are very short and haven’t developed properly and his leg joints aren’t in their sockets.
Being born into poverty in a country like Nicaragua is difficult but living with a disability like Justin’s makes life even harder for him and his family.
Until he got help from Sciaf, his mum Karen had to carry him everywhere and he was targeted by bullies because of his disability.
Two years ago, their lives were turned around when they got help from Special Families, a Sciaf-supported organisation run by Sister Rebecca Trujillo to help people living with a disability.
Justin has a wheelchair paid for by Scottish donations and with regular physiotherapy has been gradually getting stronger. He can now sometimes stand and take steps, get off the bed into his wheelchair on his own and push himself, giving him some freedom and independence.
Now Dutton is urging Scots to open their hearts this Christmas and give a present to their loved ones from SCIAF’s Real Gifts catalogue which could change the lives of people in need like Justin forever.
He said: “As Christmas approaches, we’re all trying to come up with a special gift for the people we love that really means something. Just imagine the smile on their faces when they open a present that gives a wee boy like Justin living and his family a better life.”
Sciaf’s Real Gift “Help a child living with a disability” costs just £79.
There are lots of other great gifts for people to choose from this year which support the world’s poorest people. These include the gift of a goat for £32, school books for £10 or a shelter for a family hit by disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes costing only £32.
Dutton added: “By buying our Real Gifts people can help some of the poorest people in the world with practical things like school books, toilets, essential medicines and clean water.
“Christmas is a time to remember thousands of families living on a knife edge as a result of poverty, hunger, war and natural disasters. You can help give them hope for the future by providing them with the things they need to work their way out of poverty.”
To buy any of these gifts or have a look at the Real Gifts catalogue visit here or call 0141 354 5555.
