IF sweet-toothed people in the UK were to give up chocolate during Lent this year, an astonishing £320 million would be saved.
During the Christian period of Lent leading up to Easter, many young people will give up chocolate as a symbolic sacrifice.
If the rest of the UK followed this example, money saved during this time could make a huge difference to the lives of families and children in some of the world's poorest countries.
If less money was spent on chocolate, we could provide almost two million orphans with food for one month, or almost two million piglets for pig farming in the developing world.
Gifts such as piglets can be purchased through international aid and development charity, World Vision's Alternative Gift Catalogue.
When choosing a gift for friends and family this Lent or Easter the Alternative Gift Catalogue offers a range of unique items from chickens to goats and will be sent to families struggling to escape poverty overseas.
The recipient of the gift will then receive a special card detailing what the present is and where it will go.
For just £10, the cost of two Easter eggs, two chickens can be purchased for a school for orphans.
The egg sales from the chickens will enable the school to raise funds to stay open and to continue with the children's education.
Easter rabbits can also be purchased. For £15 put ten rabbits into the hands of a family in Malawi, the sales from breeding rabbits will buy them corn, maize and other household essentials.
See World Vision's Alternative Gift Catalogue online at http://www.greatgifts.org">www.greatgifts.org or call 0845 600 6446.
Andrea Stephens
World Vision UK
Opal Drive
Fox Milne
Milton Keynes
MK15 0ZR