Not sure what to give this year for the holidays?

 

How about a gift from Oxfam?

Oxfam International is an organization that creates sustainable solutions to poverty, hunger and injustice by working with communities locally and globally. It encourages people to help by purchasing a unique gift on behalf of a friend. Your gift has a purpose and can range from honey bees to planting a vegetable garden and more. The community in need receives the gift and your friend receives a card.

Take a look at all of the unique gifts available at: http://www.oxfamamericaunwrapped.com/home.php

This year cards were created by illustrator Jessica Hische. Here are some samples of the campaign that was created and some of the inspiring illustrations.

¡Sí Colaboro!

 

Project in progress

In Bogotá, Colombia as in many parts of the world, there are children begging on the streets. Many beg because they are being exploited or see it as the only solution to their economic problems. Out of pity or guilt, citizens give money to these children, aggravating the problem instead of helping. ¡Sí Colaboro! (I'll help) is a campaign that educates citizens on why they should not give money and offers a tangible alternative that offers immediate and long-term assistance by directing them to the ¡Sí Colaboro! non-profit resource center. The resource center serves as a link between existing organizations, the children and their families.

 

 

 

Challenge

A citizen often gives money to a street child out of a sense of guilt or empathy. How do you provide an alternative that meets the needs of both the children and the citizens desire to help? How do we make children and their families aware of the help that already exists and get them to take advantage of these resources?

 

 

Solution

Create a resource center for street children and their families that matches them up with existing service organizations. Have a mobilized team that reaches out to these children to bring information directly to them. Design a campaign for citizens encouraging them to give food with an informational sticker on it.

 

 

This project, as well as many others designed to improve people's lives, can be seen on the Design Ignites Change website. For more information on this project contact me at laura@arangostudio.com.