TEAR Fund Press Release

For Immediate Release: 06/12/05

Have you bought your pig yet?

Pigs are a hot ticket with shoppers this Christmas; shoppers who are looking to buy something a little out of the ordinary for their loved ones.

The catch with the popular pigs is this; while New Zealanders receive a card with a picture of the pig, the actual animals are given to poor farmers in rural China.

Pigs are just one of a range of items from TEAR Fund’s Gift for Life catalogue. This year the aid organisation has already sold over 4,000 items, with the season’s busiest period still to come.

“It’s hard for us to imagine just how life changing these items can be for the poor in the developing world,” says TEAR Fund Executive Director Stephen Tollestrup.

TEAR Fund is offering a new selection of gifts this festive season, including immunisations for children in India, mosquito nets for Cambodian families, farm supplies for Malawian farmers and even boats for victims of the tsunami. Prices range from just $5 to $950.

“Despite all the talk about donor fatigue, New Zealanders are again demonstrating their generosity. It’s nice to know that even during our consumer-driven Christmas season, people are still eager to give to those in desperate need.”

Purchases can be made or catalogues ordered by phoning 0800 800 777 (24hrs) or by visiting www.tearfund.org.nz

ENDS

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