Suggested donation: $375 each

Cows and the milk they produce help families grow stronger, healthier and more financially secure. As a poor widow, Jamini could not offer her son Tavish a bright future. When her son grew up and married, her worry grew to include her grandchildren’s futures—until Tavish received a cow at a gift distribution.

“After having received the gift, we are really blessed. We have some income in our family. We have hope; we have a purpose in life and really are so blessed and so happy, just unlike what we thought our future would be.” —Jamini, whose son Tavish received a cow

Suggested donation: $65 each

When a lamb matures and produces offspring, its rich milk is an excellent source of calcium, an essential nutrient for young children. Income from selling milk or offspring can provide education, food, medical care or a multitude of other valuable needs for families. And healthier, stronger families mean healthier, stronger communities!

Suggested donation: $460 each

Water buffalo are powerful animals often used to plow fields. They produce milk for drinking or selling, and their dung can be used as fuel for cooking. A water buffalo will greatly improve a family’s financial situation!

“My 8-year-old nephew Benjamin has been waiting for the last few weeks for your Christmas Gift Catalog to come in the mail. He asks me nearly every day if it has come yet. ... After writing his list and handing over the money, he said that his joy was ‘too much!’ ” —Cherilyn, a donor from Canada

Suggested donation: $65 per pair

These portly critters bring powerful financial breakthroughs to needy families. Piglets fetch a good price in market, which enables families to buy whatever they need, and adult pigs provide ample meat for selling or eating.

“As I was very poor before, I used to worry a lot. … But now, since I have [these piglets,] all the worries and everything has been taken away. … After getting these piglets, I really have seen the works of prayer and what faith can really do. My faith is growing day by day.” —Mahavir, a father of three who can now feed and clothe his family

Suggested donation: $140 per pair

Goats can rapidly improve a family’s financial situation. In the case of one father, one pair of goats multiplied and enabled him to start a goat farm, which later grew to more than 75 goats he could milk or sell. He built a house for his family and sent his children to school, offering them a better future than his parents were able to offer him when he was a child.

“I just love how animals can help sustain a family with food and income. What a blessing it is to serve in this way.” —Hope, a donor from Tennessee

Suggested donation: $11 per pair

The gift of chickens supplements a family’s income and often helps a family get on its feet financially. Families can eat or sell the nutritious eggs, or they can hatch chicks to increase their flock and later have more eggs and chicks to sell.

“There is no one to take care of me at this old age. I am worried, thinking, ‘What will happen if I die and no one will even know about it?’ Today, I saw your care, and I am happy for the chicken you gave me.” —Pari, a 65-year-old widow