Goats, camels and village farmyards might not seem like traditional wedding presents, but all this could change under a novel gift-giving plan unveiled on Thursday by the British charity Oxfam.
Couples getting married can ask guests to forgo the traditional gift of household goods from a list held at a department store in favour of a charitable donation to be made to communities in 70 countries.
Oxfam’s “Unwrapped” wedding list service allows guests to spent £95 (R1 100) on a camel for a village, with cows and goats a cheaper option at £70 and £24 (R823 and R282) respectively.
One hundred children’s school dinners can be purchased for a mere £6 (R70), while at the other end of the scale, a complete village farmyard can be financed for £1 200 (R14 100).
Finally, the couple who have everything can be bought a four-wheel drive truck for £20 000 (R235 400) — one they will never see or use, and which will end up in a far-off community.
“I think a lot of people look around their houses and see that they already have the dinner service, the duvet set and the coffee-maker,” an Oxfam spokesperson said.
“They want to be able to use their wedding to make a statement about the kind of life they want to lead now, which is one that is more aware of the needs of other people.”
The idea is based on a successful scheme Oxfam ran last Christmas, allowing those sick of the traditional consumer frenzy to buy chickens, buckets and other items for deprived communities on behalf of relatives and friends. — AFP