Better World Gifts give people a practical way to fight poverty while buying thoughtful gifts that won’t end up in landfill.   

Sarah Moeda and Robyn Foley have been faithfully hosting Better World Gift stalls at their churches for 10 years and 8 years respectively. We asked them what they love about being a host and how their stalls have inspired generosity in their churches.  

What Do You Enjoy About Being A Better World Gift Stall Host? 

Sarah: I enjoy talking about how the cards help communities, and I love watching people choose the cards too—it shows where their hearts lie. 

Robyn: I enjoy encouraging the church to think about people in poverty and to realise the impact they can have on people’s lives. The cards are a great gift idea to give to someone who doesn’t need anything; it’s life-changing for an individual or a whole village.   

How Do People In Your Church Respond To Your Stall? 

Sarah: My church is a very generous church. Many people love the idea of the cards and are happy to buy them for family members or just because they want to support a cause. They also love to hear that the Stop Malaria card, for example, is not just about mosquito nets, but also for education about how to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. They love to know that communities have actually benefited from people buying the cards. 

Robyn: People at my church are really keen to support Better World Gifts and purchase about 40 cards each year. I think they like that these programs are helping people break the cycle of poverty, make a living wage, send their children to school, and have dignity. For example, when someone buys a Pig or a Goat card, it can help someone to start a business and also receive training and support. This also helps the whole community.

When someone buys a pig or a goat card, it can help someone to start a business and also receive training and support. This also helps the whole community.  

How Has Being A Host Enriched Your Own Faith? 

Sarah: It definitely has enriched my faith, because I can see the practical application of our faith in Better World Gifts.  I think of the verse in Romans 10:15 that quotes Isaiah 52:7: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.’ 

Robyn: Last year I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Cambodia with a Baptist World Aid team and see first-hand the difference our money makes. I love that I now can tell people about individuals who have had their lives changed through a chicken cooperative, a loan group or education for better agricultural practices.

How Has It Enriched The Faith Of People In your Church? 

Sarah: Many times, I’ve seen how younger children become excited at the thought that the card their mum or dad bought provided a goat to a family that needs it. If the stall holder can link buying the cards to the Gospel and Jesus’ own words about helping the poor, children feel that they are part of something important and purposeful.

Robyn: I have always had a heart for the poor, and I love to encourage others to see giving as part of our response to God’s heart for the poor and disadvantaged. Each Christmas, our church gives gifts to our neighbours to say thank you for allowing us to park outside their houses every week. For the last two years, I have added a Lunch for Learners card with a note that says, ‘As part of our gift to you we have made a contribution to Baptist World Aid for programs that provide meals to children living in poverty.’

Feeling inspired? Hosting a Better World Gift Stall is a fun way to spark generosity, bring your church together in giving and fight poverty as a community.

If you’d like to join Sarah, Robyn and many others in making a difference, sign up to host your own stall here.