“Education costs money, but then so too does ignorance” Sir Claus Moore

Plan Ireland, a children’s development agency that works in over 48 countries worldwide has always cited education and self help as central themes of their work.  Having worked in developing nations for over seventy years Plan’s policy is to help children and the community they live in. This Christmas, Plan Ireland has launched a Christmas Catalogue that focuses solely on education. Tangible gifts such as desks and blackboards cost from as little as 20 but make a positive difference to the lives of recipients. All gifts go towards Plan’s Girl Friendly School Project in Togo, Africa.

Nelson Mandela once claimed that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world; this is certainly the experience that Plan Ireland has seen.  CEO of Plan Ireland David Dalton states:

“For every extra year a child spends in education, the wider community will benefit economically. This is why Plan Ireland is focusing on the gift of education for our Christmas catalogue. Your gift will give the skills and materials directly to Plan’s Girl Friendly School project in Togo. A gift like this is essentially priceless”

Fundraising Manager Caroline O’Connell states that Plan’s Christmas gifts are easy to organise: “You simply choose a gift that a friend or relative would like to receive this Christmas.  Plan Ireland will then send you a gift certificate so that you can write a personal message and pass it onto your friend or relative. The gift purchase is sent to Plan’s Girl Friendly School Project in Togo, thus helping communities in the long run.”

The catalogue has a price point which starts at 20 for a school desk, a scholarship for a girl costs as little as 50 and teacher training costs 200.  One of last year’s most popular Christmas gifts was to sponsor a child for on behalf of a loved one, which costs just 264. This ensures that you are helping to change a child’s life and their future for the better. Plan also has a beautiful range of exclusive Christmas cards available through their website and all proceeds from cards also go towards children’s education in Togo.

Education is the key to defeating poverty and by supporting Plan Ireland this Christmas people can play an important part in breaking the cycle of poverty in Togo.A full list of individual gifts is available on www.plan.ie or by contacting Caroline O’ Connell, Marketing and Fundraising Manager on (01) 6599601, on Freephone 1800 829 829 or by emailing fundraising@plan.ie. There is also a range of corporate gifts and corporate ecards available.