A Camel for Christmas

This Christmas, child sponsorship experts ChildFund New Zealand suggests Kiwis consider a gift guaranteed to get people talking this season.

When shopping for that difficult person to buy for, a bonafide camel can leave a heart-warming impression. It doesn't even require wrapping.

Through ChildFund's Gifts that Grow Christmas catalogue, the camel debuts as a perfect Christmas gift when donated to an African family in need.

They are highly valued as reliable providers of transport for people, couriers of heavy loads and generators of nutritious milk for malnourished children.

For many New Zealand families, Christmas is often a time where requests from tweens and teenagers for pricey electronic toys are relentless. For a comparative cost, the camel is an enduring gift that doesn't need upgrading when the new version is launched.

ChildFund CEO Paul Brown says camels are a great reminder of the real values of Christmas. "They look after communities by helping those travelling long distances, transporting vital materials, and nourishing those who are hungry with their milk.

"They might have a reputation for being the grump of the desert, but once you earn a camel's respect, they are also very kind-natured and loyal animals. I'm sure we all know a person with these qualities who would enjoy the subtle innuendo of this gift."

Camels are the tip of the iceberg for the wider range of Christmas gifts in ChildFund's catalogue. If the camel is beyond the Christmas budget, there are many gifts that deliver similar benefits to families in need in developing countries.

To help with transport, a bicycle for a child to make the long journey to and from school with ease is $162.

To provide essential nutrients for malnourished children, nutrition packs for $33 are a great alternative.

You can gift a lifetime of clean water for a child, also benefiting 2,000 other children for $49.

Or quench the whole village with a water hand pump for $386.

ChildFund is in its seventh year since pioneering the Gifts that Grow catalogues. Since then, socially-minded Kiwis have gifted over 60,000 animals to those in need.

"Whether it's a Christmas Camel, or fruit seeds for an orchard, wise men and women know the real spirit of Christmas is about giving.

"We are so privileged to be living where we are here in New Zealand - this is the perfect time to help out others less fortunate."

How to gift a Christmas Camel:

Kiwis can purchase a camel for a family living in poverty for $631 (one transaction per camel purchase). You will receive a special gift card explaining the gift and how it will benefit the recipient.

To view the full range of Gifts that Grow Christmas items visit www.childfund.org.nz or call 0800 808 822.