In addition to charitable donations made during the holiday season, there is another way to help those in need to have a better life that does not involve their receiving charity. Consider shopping for beautiful and fairly traded decorations, gifts, jewelry, scarves, ornaments, nativity sets and other hand-crafted items as well as fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate from developing regions of the world. Shop at the Work of Human Hands sales and make a positive difference.

For 12 years the students, alumni, teachers and parents of Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) School have volunteered time to sponsor Work of Human Hands sales. The sales are part of the Work of Human Hands program, a partnership between Catholic Relief Services and SERRV, nonprofit organizations dedicated to fighting poverty. Every purchase made at the Work of Human Hands sale enables an artisan or farmer to better provide for the basic necessities of life, to educate her or his children, and to work in a safe environment.

Purchases help a variety of artisans around the world to be self-sufficient. A. Dowlethbee is a basket weaver who works with SERRV’s partner SHARE in India. She said, “Customers who buy our baskets can be a part of creating a future for us.”

Jhonson Augustin, a recycled metal artist from Haiti, said, “This work is our tool to fight poverty. We want more orders to make money to repair and replace what we lost (in the earthquake).” Kalpana Palma, an embroiderer in Bangladesh, said, “This opportunity has enabled me to stand on my feet, taught me to speak and inspired me to look ahead toward a better future.”

Three Work of Human Hands sales will be held during the holiday shopping season:

• Sunday, Nov. 13, from 8:30 a.m. till 7:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Church, 3773 Chamblee Tucker Road, Atlanta.

• Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m. at St. Pius X High School, 2674 Johnson Road, NE, Atlanta.

• Sunday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the old historic IHM Church, 2855 Briarcliff Road, NE, Atlanta.

All are invited to attend and bring their holiday gift lists.