We have met the online goal, now I just need a few extra dollars because I forgot about the terrible exchange rate - the extra we need is $190. Let's do this!

All I want for Christmas… is for some deserving Lao families to have one.

I had an idea. I hope you’ll agree it’s a good one.

What I'm asking: "... give up receiving or buying a few presents, so that I can present some families living in rural Laos with some basic, but life changing items."

[Please note: Fundrazr takes 4% in fees for the donation you make. So, if you want 100% of the money you donate to get to Laos... you have the option of donating the extra little bit when it asks you... or you can donate directly to me by 'send money' if you already have a PayPal account, just put in my email address: zarese.k@gmail.com]

As most of you may know from my attempted comedic Facebook posts, I have been living in Laos since mid-2012. I’ve volunteered my time and skills in marketing and fundraising with two organisations. The first being COPE (www.copelaos.org) and I’m currently working with Lao Red Cross (www.laoredcross.org.la). Both have been fantastic places to work, and I have learnt a lot about what this country needs to grow and prosper, the beauty and kindness of Lao people and, I’ve also learnt a lot about myself and all of the unnecessary material things that I don’t need.

This year in the lead up to Christmas I thought about the fact that I really don’t need anything. I thought about asking my close friends and family to donate to me what they would have spent so instead I could donate some items to communities here in Laos.

Then I thought, well actually, maybe other people would think this is a good idea and want to get on board too. So I wanted to ask you and everyone I know, to give up receiving or buying a few presents, so that I can present some families living in rural Laos with some basic, but life changing items. I won’t go on forever about it, but the fact is people here are poor. Really poor. They need items like blankets, because they don’t have any. The kids don't get to play sport because they don't have any balls to play with. It makes me sad.

I know that many people often won’t donate to charity because they don’t know where their money is really going. Here’s my solution: I will accept your donations and because I am here on the ground in Laos, I will be able to deliver your donation straight to the recipients. I will also record the entire process – shopping for items, travelling to the villages, and distributing the items to families. So you can see exactly what the conditions are like, and just how grateful the families are to receive some things they really need.

I intend to donate the items to the Lao Red Cross Bokeo office, which is in the north of the country. They will help me distribute the goods to needy villages in that province. I plan to do this at the end of November (because it starts to get cold there, and a friend and I are heading that way).

My fundraising goal is $3000 and will provide the below items to approximately 20 households.

• Blankets and mats (in the cold season Bokeo can experience below freezing temperatures)
• Mosquito nets (to prevent Malaria/Dengue)
• Toys and sports equipment ('cause it’s Christmas!)
• Books, pencils and learning charts (because education is key to development)
• Hygiene products such as washing detergent and soap (to ensure sanitation and therefore, good health).

Where is Bokeo? Check out the map below (#2). On a bus, it takes 25 hours to get there from where I am living in Vientiane!

I really hope you’ll donate today, to change the life of someone you’ll probably never meet but who will be eternally grateful for your kindness.

Lots of love

Zarese xo

(otherwise known as 'Sali' in Lao, which means corn in English)

Lao friends - you are more than welcome to donate physical goods to me in person (second hand clothes, books and other items from the list)

Questions? Want to donate something not on the list? Please email me - zarese.k@gmail.com

*Please note: I will be funding my travel to the province out of my own pocket to make sure all your donations go towards paying for the items the families will receive.