Over 20 million people in Africa live in poverty and there are a growing number of aid projects in Africa helping build up communities by helping to build schools, providing wells with clean water and protecting children from disease and poor health. In this sceptical world many people are dubious about where there money goes when they give to charity and whether it makes a difference.

A lot of mainstream charities are now recognising that most people like to know where their money is going and exactly how it helps. Therefore you can now choose to buy a ‘gift’ with your donation such as a donation of £3 buying a lifesaving treatment for 8 children with diarrhoea or feed a family for £7.

These are a fantastic opportunity to give a practical gift that you know will help others within an African community who are trying to work their way out of poverty for their future generations. So next time your exchanging gifts with loved ones why not buy one extra, a gift for a community to really make a difference.