Meaningful gifts we can give this Christmas

Less than three weeks to go before Christmas and many of us are now trooping to the malls and visiting bazaars to shop for gifts to give to our family and friends. As we decide on what gifts to give, why not consider giving something that will not only bring a smile to the faces of our loved ones but also help bring about positive change in our country? 

 

Here are some meaningful gift suggestions that you may want to consider giving this Christmas:

 

1. Pathways to Higher Education’s Winning Brew and Grains of Hope

 

Pathways to Higher Education is a non-profit organization based at the Ateneo de Manila University that helps academically-gifted but financially disadvantaged public high school students finish college. Since it started in 2002, it has helped more than 200 students graduate from college who are now helping their families move out of poverty. As part of their effort to raise funds to provide allowances to their participants, they are selling Winning Brew and Grains of Hope. 

 

Winning Brew is a coffee set which features a bittersweet blend of native barako coffee beans that will easily bring to mind the rustic charm of our countryside. One sip of this stimulating brew will instantly get you through the hectic Christmas rush. Each Winning Brew gift package that contains a 250 gram pouch of coffee costs only P 200. 

 

Rich in fiber compared to ordinary milled rice, Grains of Hope’s red rice are harvested by our local farmers. These healthy grains are free from toxins as they are cultivated without the use of chemicals. At only P180.00 per gift pack that contains one kilo of premium rice, this would surely be a wholesome gift for your loved ones this Yuletide season. To order, you can contact Pathways at (02) 426-6001 loc. 4046 and 920-0153 or you can also send an email to info.pathways@gmail.com .

 

2. AHON Foundation’s Christmas Cards

 

Since it started in 2006, the Acts of Hope for the Nation (AHON) Foundation has helped develop almost 70 public elementary school libraries all over the country. AHON works with communities to bring together different stakeholders such as the teachers, parents and the barangay to work together to refurbish and renovate their school’s library. After the renovation, AHON donates P 350,000 to P500,000 worth of brand new and slightly used books to the library. 

 

For this Christmas, AHON Foundation is selling Christmas Cards specially designed by students from Batino Elementary School in Quezon City that you can give to your loved ones. Proceeds of each Christmas Card will go toward purchasing more story books and other reading materials for our public elementary school students. Each card is being sold for only P 100.00 and a pack of six cards for only P500. To order, you can call (02) 433-1440 or send an email to ahonfoundation@gmail.com .

 

3. Kaya Natin’s Brownies for Good Governance

 

Every year, billions of pesos are lost due to graft and corruption in our country. This huge amount could’ve easily gone to help construct new classrooms, provide health insurance for indigent families and also provide additional college scholarships to our youth. Thus, it is essential that our country is able to elect and support effective, ethical and empowering leaders in our government who will always place the common good above their own self-interests. 

 

This is the main mission of the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership (KN) as it serves as a leadership sanctuary and support group to good leaders in our government. Aside from this, it also organizes activities such as its Caravan of Good Governance that visits colleges and universities all over the country to help educate the youth toward electing better leaders in the coming elections. 

 

As part of its effort to raise funds to support its programs, Kaya Natin will be selling Brownies for Good Governance this Christmas. Each delicious box of brownies will help the movement in furthering its vision of having a country that is run solely by Filipino leaders that espouse and practice good governance and leadership with integrity. 

 

A box of brownies costs only P100 and you can place your orders by calling (02) 990-3282 or send an email to mkbrowniesph@gmail.com .  

 

Comments are welcome at harveykeh@gmail.com

Follow me at Twitter: twitter.com/harveykeh

 

Harvey S. Keh is Director for Youth Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship at the Ateneo de Manila University-School of Government and is also the Lead Convenor of the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership.