Instead of making a general donation, you choose something specific that someone genuinely needs. A meal. School supplies. Healthcare. Technology. An opportunity that could change a life. You choose what speaks to you and we will help turn that generosity into something real.
October Goal
Help fund 200 packs of diapers
Help caregivers keep young children comfortable with everyday essentials.
0/200
packs funded
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raised
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people supporting
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DONATE
There’s no single right way to help, so start with what speaks to you.
Each item represents something that's genuinely needed by an individual, family, or entire community in Uganda. Some of these needs are small and others can change the direction of someone's life. All of them matter and make a big difference.
Choose the ones that mean something to you. It could be a meal, school tuition, healthcare, technology, or the tools someone needs to earn a living.
Pick something real and we'll help get it to where it can do some good.
Safe Drinking Water$40Help provide access to safe, clean drinking water for individuals and families in Uganda. Your contribution can support reliable water sources, storage, filtration, and other essentials that make clean water easier to access every day.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/SafeDrinkingWater_Detail01.png?v=1788479114&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46119918305340//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/SafeDrinkingWater_Cover.png?v=1788479113&width=1600
Groceries$60A box of groceries can take a real weight off a family that is trying to stretch every meal. This donation helps provide everyday staples and fresh foods that can be used to prepare nutritious meals at home. It is practical, immediate help that families can put to use right away.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/Groceries_Detail01.png?v=1789423990&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46160522412092//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/Groceries_Cover.png?v=1789423991&width=1600
Community Health Day$50Good healthcare is not always easy to reach. This donation helps bring basic health services, screenings, education, and care closer to families through a community-focused health day.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/CommunityHealthDay_Detail01.png?v=1788475809&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46032989388860//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/CommunityHealthDay_Cover.png?v=1788475810&width=1600
Wheelchair$200Help provide a wheelchair to someone with limited mobility, giving them greater independence and easier access to school, work, family, and community activities. A wheelchair can make a meaningful difference in how freely someone is able to move through everyday life.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/Wheelchair_Detail01.png?v=1788479166&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46119935049788//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/Wheelchair_Cover.png?v=1788479161&width=1600
Sanitary Pads$20Help provide girls with essential menstrual hygiene supplies so they can manage their periods with greater comfort, dignity, and confidence. Access to sanitary pads can also help students stay focused on school and everyday activities.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/GirlsSanitaryPads_Detail01.png?v=1788479062&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46119916273724//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/GirlsSanitaryPads_Cover.png?v=1788479062&width=1600
Hygiene Kit$10Simple necessities matter. A hygiene kit helps provide everyday personal-care items that support cleanliness, dignity, comfort, and health for someone who may not otherwise have reliable access to them.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/HygieneKit_Detail01.png?v=1788478026&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46033051254844//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/HygieneKit_Cover.png?v=1788478026&width=1600
Tuition and Meals$30Give a student something incredibly valuable: a tuition with fewer financial interruptions. This donation helps cover tuition and meals, providing consistency for both education and everyday nutrition.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/TuitionandMeals_Detail01.png?v=1788475530&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46122531029052//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/TuitionandMeals_Cover.png?v=1788475530&width=1600
School Shoes$25Provide a child with a durable pair of shoes for school and daily life. Proper footwear helps protect their feet while giving them something comfortable and dependable to wear as they learn, play, and travel to school.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/SchoolShoes_Detail01.png?v=1788479137&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46119926267964//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/SchoolShoes_Cover.png?v=1788479137&width=1600
Clothing$20Help provide practical, everyday clothing for children and families in Uganda. Your contribution can support access to clean, comfortable clothing that meets basic daily needs while helping people feel confident and prepared for school, work, and community life.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/Clothing_Detail01.png?v=1788479035&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46119910441020//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/Clothing_Cover.png?v=1788479038&width=1600
Home Solar System$150A home solar system can make a huge difference for a family that does not have reliable access to electricity. It can provide light after dark, help children study in the evening, charge electronics, and power a few basic household needs. It is a simple upgrade that can make everyday life safer, easier, and a lot more comfortable.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/HomeSolarSystem_Detail01.png?v=1789423584&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46160511139900//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/HomeSolarSystem_Cover.png?v=1789423586&width=1600
Agriculture Supplies$60Farming is not just work, it is how they eat and how they earn an income. This donation helps provide practical supplies like seeds, tools, watering equipment, and other essentials that make it easier to grow healthy crops. A few basic supplies can go a long way toward helping a family become more productive and self-sufficient.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/AgricultureSupplies_Detail01.png?v=1789423761&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46160515072060//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/AgricultureSupplies_Cover.png?v=1789423762&width=1600
Animal for Local Family$5This is a practical gift designed to keep producing value after the donation is made. A pig can become part of a family's small livestock operation, providing an opportunity for food, breeding, or future income.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/ChickenforLocalFamily_Detail01_4675c233-f14c-429c-b760-5d620fb8071a.png?v=1788477104&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46122535649340//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/AnimalforLocalFamily_Cover_fa68e4cf-ffa7-4d73-a6f3-41858224da3b.png?v=1788477105&width=1600
Solar Cooktop$30A solar cooktop gives a family another way to prepare meals without relying as heavily on charcoal, firewood, or unreliable electricity. It uses the sun to help with everyday cooking, which can lower household costs and reduce the time spent gathering fuel. It is a practical tool that turns something Uganda has plenty of, sunshine, into something useful every day.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/SolarCooktop_Detail01.png?v=1789424046&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46033041358908//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/SolarCooktop_Cover.png?v=1789424048&width=1600
School Supplies$15Pencils, notebooks, ream of paper, and basic classroom supplies should be ordinary things, but for some students they are a real barrier. This gift helps make sure a child can walk into class prepared to participate rather than worrying about what they do not have.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/SchoolSupplies_Detail01.png?v=1788478276&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46033066033212//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/SchoolSupplies_Cover.png?v=1788478276&width=1600
School Uniform Set$50A school uniform is both practical and personal. It helps a student arrive dressed appropriately for class, feel like they belong with their classmates, and participate in school with confidence. It includes a class uniform, sportswear, pair of stockings, and a sweater.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/SchoolUniform_Detail01.png?v=1788478124&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46033056759868//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/SchoolUniform_Cover.png?v=1788478124&width=1600
School Backpack$15Give a student a dependable place to carry everything they need for the day. A good backpack protects books and supplies, makes the trip to school easier, and is something a student can use every single day.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/SchoolBackpack_Detail01.png?v=1788478200&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46033062494268//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/SchoolBackpack_Cover.png?v=1788478200&width=1600
Bicycle$65A bicycle can mean more than transportation. It can shorten a long walk to school, make getting to work possible, and give someone back hours of their day that would otherwise be spent traveling on foot.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/Bicycle_Detail01.png?v=1788478383&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46033070227516//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/Bicycle_Cover.png?v=1788478383&width=1600
Solar System for School$100Reliable electricity can completely change what is possible inside a school. A solar system can help power lighting, computers, charging, educational technology, and other resources without depending entirely on an unreliable electrical grid.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/SolarSystemforSchool_Detail01.png?v=1788477354&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46033029922876//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/SolarSystemforSchool_Cover.png?v=1788477354&width=1600
Business Startup Funding$50A good idea often needs a little room to get started. This gift helps an aspiring entrepreneur purchase basic supplies, equipment, or inventory needed to turn a small business idea into real income.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/BusinessStartupFunding_Detail01.png?v=1788478571&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46033074716732//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/BusinessStartupFunding_Cover_8dc9cba2-6f6a-4fef-95a0-3ee79948fae9.png?v=1788478570&width=1600
6-Week Self-Reliance Course$20Sometimes the most valuable help is learning how to create your own next opportunity. This four-week course helps participants build practical skills, confidence, and a plan for becoming more financially self-reliant.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/4WeekSelfRelianceCourse_Detail01.png?v=1788476564&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46032996991036//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/4WeekSelfRelianceCourse_Cover_1cab35bf-e37e-43ff-a0b6-239015f39ed3.png?v=1788476560&width=1600
3-Credit University Course$15One class can be the difference between moving forward and having to wait another semester. This gift helps cover the cost of a three-credit university course for a student working toward a degree and a more secure future.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/3CreditUniversityCourse_Detail01_3706e36f-d83b-42cc-8a3a-35e7762306f1.png?v=1788476403&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46032995287100//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/3CreditUniversityCourse_Cover_b0d527dd-d17d-444b-a7ae-b7699ddaf988.png?v=1788476403&width=1600
Computers for Library$300A library computer opens a door to far more than the internet. Students can research assignments, develop digital skills, access educational resources, and learn how to use technology that is increasingly essential for school and work.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/ComputerforLibrary_Detail01.png?v=1788475762&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46032986931260//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/ComputerforLibrary_Cover.png?v=1788475761&width=1600
Modest Computer Purchase$150Technology can be expensive, but several smaller gifts can make one important purchase possible. This contribution covers part of the cost of a computer that can be used for education, training, work, or other essential digital needs.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/PartialComputerPurchase_Detail01.png?v=1788475720&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46032984342588//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/PartialComputerPurchase_Cover.png?v=1788475719&width=1600
Book for the Library$8Put another book within reach of a student who wants to learn. This donation helps expand a local library with useful, engaging books students can return to again and again.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/BookfortheLibrary_Detail01.png?v=1788475592&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46032904454204//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/BookfortheLibrary_Cover.png?v=1788475593&width=1600
Outsourced Employee$X/HRThis gift supports paid employment for someone handling the behind-the-scenes work that keeps an organization moving. Data entry, records, organization, and administrative support may not be flashy, but they make everything else work better.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/VideographyOutsourcedEmployee_Detail01.png?v=1788478795&width=1600Second Shopify product imagetruemailto:support@virtualgivingmachine.com?subject=Hiring+inquiry%3A+Outsourced+Employee+outsourced+employee&body=Hello+Virtual+Giving+Machine+team%2C%0A%0AI%26%2339%3Bm+interested+in+learning+more+about+hiring+the+Data+Entry%2FBackoffice+outsourced+employee+featured+on+your+website.+Please+send+me+details+about+their+data+entry+and+administrative+experience%2C+availability%2C+hourly+rate%2C+and+next+steps.%0AThank+you%21Outsourced Employee46125610696764//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/OutsourcedEmployee_Cover.png?v=1788478793&width=1600
Sports Equipment$25A ball, a set of equipment, and a place to play can bring a lot of kids together. This donation helps provide sports gear that gives students a chance to move, compete, practice teamwork, and simply enjoy being kids.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/SportsEquipment_Detail01.png?v=1788478480&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46033072488508//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/SportsEquipment_Cover.png?v=1788478479&width=1600
Musical Instrument$25Music gives students another way to learn, create, perform, and discover what they are capable of. This donation helps place an instrument into the hands of a student who may never have had the opportunity to play one otherwise.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/MusicalInstrument_Detail01.png?v=1788475646&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46032906125372//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/MusicalInstrument_Cover.png?v=1788475645&width=1600
Toys & Games$50Kids need time to play, laugh, learn, and just be themselves. Toys and games give children and babies something fun to look forward to while also helping with creativity, coordination, and social development. Sometimes a ball, a puzzle, or a simple game can bring a surprising amount of joy.//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/ToysAndGames_Detail01.png?v=1789423907&width=1600Second Shopify product imagefalse46160519462972//virtualgivingmachine.com/cdn/shop/files/ToysAndGames_Cover.png?v=1789423909&width=1600
1IN BAG
No matching itemsTry a different search term or choose another category.
Where your giving goes
A closer look at the people, purchases and delivery behind your gift.
01Choose and giveChoose something that's meaningful. Your selection gives the contribution a clear purpose.
Giving starts with a choice: search for an item that matters to you and meets the need for someone else. When your payment is confirmed, Shopify records the contribution and the item you selected. That is the starting point for connecting your giving to the work it will support. The tracking process we have build carries that purpose forward into purchasing and delivering the donation.
02Confirm the needWork with local people to understand who needs support, what is needed and how much.
Listening is an important step in our process. We seek out local partners and community representatives to understand the needs, confirm quantities and identify an appropriate recipient or group. We aim to respond to what people need, rather than assume what would help.
Needs are reviewed before a project is offered for giving, then checked again before purchasing. The record explains why the need was selected, what was agreed and who reviewed it. If the need changes, it is documented before money is committed to a different item.
Checks before purchasing
The intended record: the need and quantity, local partner, selection reason, reviewer and any changes to the original plan. Private recipient details would stay out of public updates.
03Purchase locallyBuy close to the people receiving the items, and connect each purchase to a clear record.
Our approach is to buy items in Uganda where they are needed. Local purchasing makes it easier to source suitable products, work with nearby suppliers, and avoid unnecessary international shipping. Overseas purchasing would be an exception, rather than the standard approach.
The system we are building would connect each purchase to its giving purpose and record the supplier, items, quantities, currency, actual amount paid and receipt. Purchase costs should be distinguishable from payment fees, transport and other costs. If prices, availability or the plan change, the record should explain the difference rather than hide it.
What we record
Supplier and purchase date · Items and quantities · Currency and actual amount paid · Receipt · Giving purpose or batch · Any substitution or cost change.
04Deliver and confirmGet the items to the intended people and confirm what actually arrived.
A purchase is only part of the journey. The planned delivery process would connect the purchased items to the intended recipient, group or local partner, then record the delivery date, items and quantities received, and confirmation of the handoff.
If only part of a batch arrives, or delivery is delayed, the status should show that accurately. Photos may help explain the work when they are appropriate and shared with consent, but a photograph alone should not replace a delivery record. Recipient dignity and privacy should guide what is shared publicly.
Delivery needs its own record
The intended record: delivery date, items and quantities received, confirmation of receipt and any missing items or remaining deliveries. Public photos would be selected separately from private records.
05Report backExplain the progress, the spending and any changes, so the whole journey is easier to follow.
Donors should be able to understand what happened after they gave. The reporting process we are building would bring together the approved purchasing and delivery records into clear updates: what was bought, what was delivered, what was spent and what is still in progress.
Updates should also explain delays, substitutions, cost changes and any money remaining for the stated purpose. Money raised, money spent and items delivered are different facts and should be shown separately. The goal is a truthful picture of the work, including the parts that are unfinished, with private donor and recipient information kept out of public reports.
Clear progress, even when plans change
The intended update: current status, approved spending and delivery totals, remaining work or funds, changes to the plan and the date of the latest update.
Donation Stories
The people and stories behind the items you give.
My feet feel comfortable all the way to school.
— Kato (demo)
Jinja, Eastern Region, Uganda
Kato
A pair of school shoes
I used to borrow a guitar and return it before I had finished practicing. Having one here means I can repeat the difficult parts until my hands finally understand them.
— Beatriz Fernanda de Almeida Cavalcanti Costa (demo)
Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Beatriz Fernanda de Almeida Cavalcanti Costa
An acoustic guitar
I have always liked reading, but most of the books available to me were ones I had already read. When these arrived, I spread them out and tried to decide which to begin first. I chose the one that seemed furthest from my usual interests. That surprised me, because it became the book I talked about most. A friend and I now exchange notes about what we are reading. Receiving a few books has given us new things to discuss, different questions to ask, and something enjoyable to look forward to after a busy day.
— Ana Lucía Rojas (demo)
Mérida, Mérida, Venezuela
Ana Lucía Rojas
A selection of books
I am usually quiet around people I do not know. On the field, it is easier to start talking. You ask someone to pass, learn their name, and suddenly you are on the same team.
— João Pedro Silva (demo)
Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
João Pedro Silva
A soccer ball
I keep a small list of what we need each week, and sometimes I cross things off before I even reach the shop. Receiving these groceries meant I could leave that list alone for a few days. We cooked a meal together, and I saved some ingredients for later in the week. What I remember most is how ordinary the evening felt. There was enough to prepare, enough to share, and no need to work out which part of the meal we could manage without. That gave me a little breathing room.
— Grace Nabirye Namakula Nakayiza (demo)
Kampala, Central Region, Uganda
Grace Nabirye Namakula Nakayiza
Fresh groceries and pantry essentials
Everything has a place now—even my little pencil.
— Amina (demo)
Jinja, Eastern Region, Uganda
Amina
A school backpack
I put the kit beside the sink instead of keeping everything scattered around. It is a small change, but having those essentials together makes it easier to take a moment for myself.
— María Alejandra González de la Cruz Mendoza (demo)
Mérida, Mérida, Venezuela
María Alejandra González de la Cruz Mendoza
A hygiene kit with soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a washcloth
I have kept a garden for years, and there is always something to learn from it. Some seasons go well, and others remind you that you cannot control everything. With these supplies, I can try a few changes I had been postponing: starting seedlings more carefully, keeping better spacing, and using a proper hand tool for the smaller jobs. My neighbor came over while I was sorting the packets, and we ended up discussing what each of us wanted to grow. I am looking forward to comparing our progress as the plants develop.
— Paulo Henrique Souza (demo)
Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Paulo Henrique Souza
Seeds, seedlings, gloves, and gardening hand tools
I am taking a course that includes writing documents, sending emails, and learning how to use spreadsheets. Before I had access to this computer, I tried to remember the steps from each lesson until I could find another chance to practice. Sometimes several days passed, and I would have to begin again.
Now I can open my work, make a mistake, correct it, and try once more without feeling that I am using up somebody else’s time. I have created folders for each subject and started keeping a list of things I want to learn next. My younger cousin asked me to show her how to type her name, which made me realize that I already know enough to help someone else begin. I am still learning, but the practice no longer has to stop when the lesson ends.
— Sarah Namusoke (demo)
Kampala, Central Region, Uganda
Sarah Namusoke
A laptop computer
I named him Captain Bear.
— Leo (demo)
Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
Leo
A teddy bear and a wooden puzzle
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!
OUR STORY
Virtual Giving Machine was inspired by the original Giving Machines and the simple idea of choosing something specific to give. But when founder Kirk Stafford and members of our team spent time in Uganda, that idea took on an entirely different meaning.
Being there, working alongside local communities, and seeing the needs firsthand changed the way we thought about giving. We saw that sometimes making a meaningful difference isn't complicated. It can be helping with school, providing access to medical care, putting the right tools in someone's hands, or meeting a practical need that has been standing in the way.
We came home wanting to make that kind of giving possible for more people.
CONTACT US
Have a question, want to learn more, or aren't quite sure where to start? We'd be happy to hear from you.
Whether it's about something you'd like to give, an order you've placed, or Virtual Giving Machine itself, send us a message and we'll get back to you.