Wishlists

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Oxfam Unwrapped?

Oxfam Unwrapped is an on-line alternative giving program that offers a selection of life-changing gifts. No matter the occasion – whether a birthday, an anniversary, a retirement or a wedding – we have gifts that allow you to give something special to someone who has everything – while at the same time giving something meaningful to someone who needs it.

A gift purchased from Oxfam Canada Unwrapped will be used to help women and men &ndash even entire communities &ndash gain greater self-sufficiency. Oxfam Canada works in more than 20 countries around the world and the gifts we offer through Unwrapped represent actual items used in our programs.

The principle behind Oxfam Unwrapped is that your gift-giving dollars work in two ways:

  1. By supporting the fight against poverty, helping women and men in developing countries reach a greater level of self-sufficiency and control over their lives.
  2. The gifts are fun &ndash and they make you and the gift's recipient feel good too!

More Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How does Unwrapped work?

Once you.ve selected your gifts, we send your recipients a lovely gift card notifying them that a gift has been delivered to a community in need on their behalf. The outside of the card depicts the gift you've chosen; the inside of the card contains information about how your gift is making a difference to the lives of people around the world.

Our program officers determine where your gift is needed most and where it can reasonably and responsibly be managed. When it comes to animal gifts, we ensure a community has the resources and know-how to support the animals.

Simply choose a gift, complete your order, sit back, relax and leave the rest to us. It's that easy.

How can I purchase Unwrapped gifts?

You can purchase Unwrapped gifts by using your credit card over the web at www.oxfamunwrapped.ca or through our toll free Unwrapped telephone number at 1-866-572-2831.

What are the administration costs for Unwrapped?

Oxfam Unwrapped is one of the many ways Oxfam Canada raises money to fund our global programs. While administration costs vary from year to year, Oxfam strives to ensure that our donors. gifts are used effectively and to maximize program effect. In our most recent, audited fiscal year - 2007 - here's how donations were spent:

72% - Overseas Program
8% - Programs in Canada
8% - Administration
12% - Fundraising

If someone gets a donkey, what do I get?

There is no denying it, giving is fun and it makes us feel good when a gift makes a real difference to the recipient. Your gift recipient receives a special card and you receive a tax receipt for your donation. Now that's a great deal!

How do I know that my animal gift will not end up on the black market?

When you give a gift of a donkey, goat or chicken Oxfam Canada has several checks in place to ensure your gift of a donkey, goat, chicken or sheep goes where it.s intended. Your animal gift is chosen by a partner organization which has a long-standing working relationship with Oxfam. Once the animal has received its vaccinations, Oxfam's team decides where the animal is needed most, and where it can reasonably and responsibly be managed. Recipients receiving training in animal husbandry and how to sell its eggs, wool or milk at the market. Our team then transports your animal gift to its new home.

Each goat, sheep, donkey or chicken is given on the condition that its first offspring will be donated back to the project organization. This ensures the process can continue with new recipients.

Oxfam has long-standing relationships with the communities that receive Oxfam Unwrapped gifts and the provision of animals is managed by project partners in our livelihoods programs. In addition, we receive regular reports on how the animals have transformed the lives of your gift's recipients. 

How it Works

Does a donkey really cost $120?

To explain the costs of all our Unwrapped items would take a while but, for example, when you purchase a donkey, you are giving so much more. You're providing vaccinations, transport, training in animal husbandry and market awareness as well as building resources that benefit entire communities. You are also supporting Oxfam's livelihoods programs, enabling women and men to have an ongoing source of income that will create greater self-sufficiency, self-esteem and also educational opportunities.

How it Works

Can I keep track of my donkey?

Unfortunately our items don't come equipped with GPS so we can't track your specific item. The cost of reporting on individual items would be very expensive and we want your donation to get to where it's needed most to have as much of an impact as it can.

Can I name my donkey?

Naming our four-legged or feathered items is not something that we can offer. Our project partners are responsible for delivery and local sourcing of our Unwrapped items. Because of this, it would be very difficult to provide naming opportunities.

Can my gift go to a particular country?

Unfortunately no. Coordinating the delivery of items on this level would incur too many costs and would reduce the effectiveness of the Unwrapped program. We can ensure that your gift will go to a country where Oxfam Canada works and where it is most needed.

What kind of cards do you have?

We offer electronic (E-card), PDF and hard copy versions of the card in which you can place a personal message. You can e-mail your card directly to yourself or the recipient, so that he/she may print it out. You can also select a hard copy card that will be sent via Canada Post directly to the recipient or to you. You can see a sample of the cards below.

What does a card look like?

Here is a sample of what the card will look like:

Printed, PDF, E-cards

E-cards

E-cards can only be purchased online at www.oxfamunwrapped.ca

E-cards are great, as they can be personalized, and are an immediate way to give a gift!

Can I send a card directly to my friend?

You can send a card directly to your friend via the Unwrapped website or through our 1-866-572-2831 line. No matter which method you choose, you can add your own personal message, which is printed on the card and sent directly to the person receiving the gift.

Can I get one card for multiple gifts?

Yes, you can choose to have one card for two or more of the same gift. On the "Personalize your card" page you are able to indicate the number of cards you would like. You will then be able to personalize your card, select the kind of card you prefer (e-card, PDF or hard copy) and the method of delivery.

Can I place a message in the card?

You are able to include a personal message in the card through the Unwrapped site for the PDF card, E-card and hard copy or through a representative at 1-866-572-2831. You can choose from three options:

  • Mail a hard copy card to me, and I'll write it myself
  • Email my personalized PDF or e-card to me, so I can print it out.
  • Send my personalized e-card or PDF card directly to the recipient.

How long does it take for my card to be delivered?

E-cards or PDFs are sent within 24 hours of your purchase. If you select a hard copy card, it may take up to five working days to process. Then it is in the post office's hands, which could be another two to five days. Please note that you can't select the hard copy card option between December 20 and January 6 because we can't guarantee timely delivery for the holiday season.

How do I reissue my "e" or PDF cards if they have not arrived?

There are many reasons why your cards may have not been delivered to the email inbox such as computer settings, firewalls, or antivirus software. You can now reissue your cards by using your order number or email address by going to "Didn't receive your Unwrapped cards" button on the left side of the home page and following the instructions.

What happens if my Unwrapped "e", PDF or Hard copy card(s) still have not arrived?

If for some reason your "e", PDF or hard copy card has not arrived, please call 1-800-466-9326 and we will be able to issue you a new card.

Will I receive a tax receipt?

When you purchase an Unwrapped item, you are in fact donating to Oxfam Canada, which makes your purchase eligible for a tax credit. Once you have completed your purchase, we will issue a tax receipt in your name and send it either by email within 24 hours or by mail within 10 business days. If you did not receive your tax receipt in 10 business days, please email unwrapped@oxfam.ca so that we may send you a replacement.

Can I have the tax receipt issued in the name of the person I am sending the gift to?

Can I have the tax receipt issued in the name of the person I am sending the gift to? In accordance with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) regulations governing the issuing of tax receipts, we can only issue the receipt in the name of the individual or organization making the donation or gift.

Why is giving my email address mandatory?

Providing your email address allows us to reduce our costs, eliminates tax-receipting errors and ensures that you get your electronic tax receipt within 24 hours. If you do not have an email address, please phone 1-866-572-2831 and speak with one of our representatives who will help you with your order and arrange for you to receive your tax receipt by mail.

Why do you need my phone number?

In the past there have been occasions when cards have not been received in time because of incorrect address information. Having a phone number allows us to correct this issue quickly when it occurs.

Is Unwrapped only for the holiday season?

Actually no, the Unwrapped site and toll-free number are open all year long. Whether it's a birthday, graduation, wedding or holiday gift for your teacher, friend or co-worker &ndash or a gift just for fun &ndash Unwrapped is there if you want your gift to give a little extra.

Are the animals ethically treated?

All the animals that are selected for Unwrapped are sourced locally, so they are not shipped long distances. They receive up-to-date shots. The women and men who receive a donkey, sheep, goat or chicken are provided with training in animal health care.

How do women and men in local communities qualify to receive an animal?

The selection of who receives help is coordinated by our local project partners in consultation with the communities they work in.

How does Oxfam decide where my gifts will go?

Working closely with our local project partners, Oxfam Canada program staff are responsible for deciding where and which programs will receive the Unwrapped gift. The decision where to direct the gift is determined by community needs and where the gift can do the most good.

Where do the animals/items come from?

All of the animals and most of the other items for our Unwrapped program are sourced locally, in accordance with our project partners' and the local communities' needs. The exceptions are some emergency items, such as the Oxfam bucket.

What happens if you sell out of donkeys or anything else?

Every gift offered through Oxfam Canada Unwrapped represents programs underway in communities around the world. The actual number of items delivered is determined by community needs. Therefore, it is possible that we could end up with more of a particular item than we can reasonably and responsibly program. If this is the case, Oxfam Canada will ensure that the funds are used to support our overall work within the same or similar program area.

Why are you selling chickens when avian flu is such a problem?

The truth is chickens are an inexpensive and easy way for people to increase their income and feed their families. To avoid the potential of avian flu, we do not support battery housing of chickens, which is where there is a high risk of transmission. In addition, caring for animals, treating illnesses, vaccination and hygienic handling of the chickens are key parts of our chicken programs.

How secure is my information?

Oxfam Canada uses an encryption to protect the transfer of personal and financial information between your browser and our servers. When using Oxfam Canada's registration and donation pages, a small lock or key symbol in the status bar of your browser indicates that you are connected securely. Personal information and financial transactions are stored on our secure database server. Stringent security guidelines are in place to protect this data, and its use and release. All other questions regarding privacy and how personal information is governed and managed by Oxfam Canada can be answered by clicking on this link to our Privacy Policy.

Credit Card Transactions

Oxfam Canada uses the Moneris eSelect Payment Gateway, which processes online payments in real-time.

ll transactions are encrypted using 128 bit encryption. Transactions are processed in real time, normally taking between 5 and 15 seconds to obtain authorization.

Credit card details are NOT stored at any time by Oxfam Canada, or Helpforcharities.com. Only summary information including the amount of the charge, transaction date and approval code are retained. For this reason, credit card transactions using this service are likely to be more secure than traditional methods of payment where a physical record of the credit card details is made and retained by the merchant.

Overview of the secure payment service used by Oxfam Canada;

  • Donor makes a donation using an online donation form (hosted with Helpforcharities.com).
  • The order is posted securely across an encrypted link.
  • The Helpforcharities.com system receives, logs and verifies the card number and date - then the valid card number, payment details are sent via a secure encrypted link - the Moneris eSelect payment gateway.
  • The Moneris eSelect payment gateway receives logs and forwards payment details via a dedicated private link to the Banking System.
  • The Banking System clears payment.
  • The Banking System forwards encrypted details and authorization code via a dedicated private link.
  • The Moneris eSelect payment gateway payment system logs the transaction result, and forwards it encrypted via the internet back to the Helpforcharities.com system.
  • The Helpforcharities.com system formats, records and forwards the response to the donor, via the internet.
  • The donor receives the response from the gateway typically in 5 to 15 seconds.

What does Oxfam Canada do?

Oxfam Canada stands in solidarity with women and men around the world, helping them with the tools and intangibles that empower them to become leaders in their communities. Our programs are designed to strengthen skills so that women and men are able to enjoy their rights, live lives of dignity and pursue dreams and goals.

We work in Africa, the Americas and Asia. In South Africa, Cuba and Mozambique, we work with women farmers, helping them gain rights to land and property and ensuring they have the training and tools needed to make their fields viable. We work with women factory workers in places like Nicaragua and Guatemala, helping shield them from harassment and ensuring they are treated fairly in their work. We work with women the world over, from Pakistan to El Salvador, helping them promote harmony in their homes and keep themselves safe from violence or harm.

In Canada, Oxfam works from coast-to-coast campaigning on development issues and advocating for the kind of systemic change that allows development to take place. This includes lobbying for greater funding, more efficient spending and better government policies. In times of crisis, such as the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Oxfam works with partners and affiliates around the globe to coordinate a response that specializes in emergency water and sanitation. We also work with women.s groups to help provide a response that focuses on promoting the skills of women survivors.

Oxfam Canada is a member of Oxfam International, a federation of 14 autonomous non-governmental organizations. Together we tackle the root causes of poverty, social injustice and inequality.

Founded in 1963, Oxfam Canada supports community programs that develop leadership, self-reliance and active citizenship.

To find out more about Oxfam Canada, visit our website at www.oxfam.ca