FAQS

Information about ordering gifts can be found with How to order.

1. What is the Smiles gift catalogue?
2. So if I buy a chicken, how does World Vision deliver it overseas?
3. What happens if too many items are purchased?
4. What will I receive for my purchase?
5. Are Smiles purchases tax deductible?
6. How quickly will you send my cards?
7. Can World Vision send the card directly to my friend or loved one?
8. Can I get a photo of my gift being given to the child, family or community?
9. Can my gift go to my sponsored child or their family?
10. Can I buy my own gift and send it to my sponsored child?
11. Why are the prices different to last year?
12. Why do other charities offer the same gifts at different prices?
13. Can I still buy gifts from last year’s catalogue?
14. I already do my bit and sponsor a child. Why should I give to this as well?

1. What is the Smiles gift catalogue?

The Smiles gift catalogue is a compilation of specific items and activities that have been identified by poor communities as being able to improve their wellbeing. The gifts are delivered as part of integrated development projects that also include education and training.

The catalogue provides an opportunity to help children, families and communities in ways that may not be possible through child sponsorship or other World Vision programs.

2. So if I buy a chicken, how does World Vision deliver it overseas?

We don’t try and send individual gifts overseas. Rather, each Smiles gift you buy represents the type of activities we will carry out on your behalf. So, if you buy a chicken or a vegie pack, for example, your contribution will go towards our agriculture and environment work to help communities grow nutritious food, generate income and protect and revive their environments.

Or if you buy a mosquito net or a toilet, you’ll be contributing to our work to help communities gain access to basic healthcare, water and sanitation.

Please see How Smiles works for more information.

3. What happens if too many items are purchased?

Each gift in this catalogue is representative of the type of activities carried out in the various categories of work that World Vision is involved in, such as agriculture and environment, or health, water and sanitation. The amount we receive for the gift you purchase will be allocated towards our work in the category it represents. If gift purchases exceed the needs in a particular category, we will use the excess in another category.

4. What will I receive for my purchase?

If you choose the traditional card option, we will send you printed gift cards in the post that you can give to your friends and loved ones. The gift card includes a photo and description of the gift you selected and provides a space for you to write a personal message. The card does not include the cost of the gift and can be used any time of the year.

If you choose to send an eCard, it will be sent directly to the gift recipient as per the details you provide. If you choose a print your own card, we will email you a PDF containing your card and instructions on how to print it from your home printer.

5. Are Smiles purchases tax deductible?

Yes, all purchases from the Smiles gift catalogue are tax deductible. World Vision will issue one annual tax statement at the end of the financial year. Should you require a receipt immediately, please contact our Supporter Service Team or phone on 1300 303 440.

6. How quickly will you send my cards?

For online and phone orders placed by 2pm, we will dispatch your gift cards the next working day. Cards for coupon orders mailed to us will be dispatched within 5 working days of us receiving the order.

7. Can World Vision send the traditional card directly to my friend or loved one?

We prefer to send the traditional cards to the person who has placed the order so they can add their own personal messages.

8. Can I get a photo of my gift being given to the child, family or community?

Due to the volume of gifts purchased, it's impossible for us to provide individual photos of items being received by children, families or communities.

We provide regular feedback on how Smiles gifts are changing lives in issues of World Vision News.

9. Can my gift go to my sponsored child or their family?

The gifts cannot go directly to your sponsored child. The gifts that have been selected are to help specific groups of children, families and communities, both within and outside the child sponsorship program. The gifts are also items which are not normally covered by sponsorship funds. This means we can help more children than just those currently being sponsored.

10. Can I buy my own gift and send it to my sponsored child?

Please refer to our standard policy on sending gifts to sponsored children – also refer to the child sponsorship handbook you have been sent.

11. Why are the prices different to last year?

Many gifts from last year have reduced in price due to the stronger Australian dollar. The prices vary according to the costs associated with the type of program or activity each gift represents. Where possible, we will purchase the items required for our work from within the local country to support local economies.

12. Why do other charities offer the same gifts at different prices?

Smiles gifts are representative of activities carried out in our relief and community development projects. The prices reflect the costs involved in providing children, families and communities with the kind of help your gift represents, and may include education, training and ongoing support.

13. Can I still buy gifts from last year’s catalogue?

No. The items featured in this year’s gift catalogue represent the current needs of the families and communities with whom we work.

14. I already do my bit and sponsor a child. Why should I give to this as well?

We really appreciate your ongoing sponsorship and your support is invaluable to your child and his or her community.

All items listed within this catalogue have been identified by communities in need and are not covered by normal sponsorship funds. Although some items will be going to sponsorship projects, such items are over and above what the sponsorship program can provide. Other items are being delivered to areas where sponsorship is not currently provided.