World Vision Urges Couples to Consider 'Alternative Gifts'

World Vision is has urged couples during National Marriage Week (7-14 February) to consider 'alternative gifts' to benefit people in poor countries when choosing their wedding gift lists.

"Wedding gift lists are a great way for couples to choose and receive the exact items they would like for creating their homes," said Fiona Cole, World Vision's Public Relations Manager. "But increasingly, many couples feel they already have so much, so are opting to either include some alternative gifts in their lists, or, even set up an entire alternative wedding gift list to replace a more traditional one.

"Not only can couples help reduce some of the stresses associated with the abundance of wedding preparations by minimising their chance of receiving gifts they already have or don't really want, but can also rest in the knowledge that by choosing alternative gifts they are making a truly lasting difference to far less fortunate couples and families in poverty around the world," she continued.

Over 70 gifts are available in World Vision's new Spring/Summer Alternative Gift Catalogue, which will directly benefit 19 of World Vision's community projects in poor countries across Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia, as well as gifts that really save the day for use in major disasters and emergency aid situations.

The broad range of gifts includes items such as mosquito nets to help reduce the incidence of disease in Zambia (£5), fish stocks to help families returning to the Chettikulam region in Sri Lanka rebuild their lives after years of civil war (£17), a push bike for educators to take the message of HIV prevention to remote parts of Zambia (£54), birth certificates for children and women in Bolivia to enable them to have access to local government services (£6), vital vaccinations for children in the Bonthe district in Sierra Leone (£20) and access to education for some of Cambodia's most vulnerable children in Battambang City (£20).

For more information on the Alternative Wedding Gift list, go to www.greatgifts.org.