Following a winding road away from Waingapu, the capital of Sumba island in Indonesia, is a lake. As the sun sets, the lake gleams a blood red. Serene. Beautiful. Strange maybe. But for the family who lives in a small, unassuming house just behind the lake, it’s a familiar sight.

One night, Lydia awoke suddenly next to her husband and three of her children in the single bed they all shared. It was dark, but she sensed that something was wrong with her husband. As she slept, he had a heart attack. The long three-hour drive to the hospital in Waingapu was very difficult. By the time they arrived, it was too late.

I loved him so much," she said. "My life depended on him."

At this moment, the world changed instantly for Lydia and her children – Ridwan, 15, Rambu, 10, and Kudu, 3. Her children had lost their brave father, and she lost her loving partner.

Today marks Giving Tuesday. It occurs just in time for the beginning of the Christmas season, especially during a time when most of us are looking forward to that one morning in late December when we can finally unwrap presents. Collaborating with non-profits and other charities, Giving Tuesday is a day to inspire each other to give and to celebrate the impact that giving has on people’s lives and the world. After the death of her husband, Lydia wanted to keep giving her children all that she can, just like her husband would’ve done. But at that moment, she didn’t know how to.

The first few days after that fateful night were very difficult for Lydia.

I felt so different,” she said. “I felt so lonely.”

She had to become both parents for her children, because there was no one else. In the following months, the children were each sent home from school because Lydia could no longer afford to pay the tuition fees. They were bullied by other children in the community. Often the entire family went hungry, with only a single serving of instant noodles to share between them.

But they soon realised that they were not alone – they had each other and the support of people like you – people who generously give a hand up to families in need. Just $70 is enough to provide a small loan to a family; $500 is enough to help seven families or about 35 people. Donations are used to help provide small loans to buy sewing machines, cooking equipment and even seeds to plant a farm.

For Lydia, a small loan meant she was able to start a business from her home and farm, selling grocery items like soap, noodles, sugar, rice and eggs. Now she is able to earn enough to pay for her children to go back to school and to provide her family with consistent and healthy meals.

And just as valuable, is the influence that your support and Lydia’s hard work is having on her children.

I want to help people," Ridwan says, thinking about the future. "I want to provide houses and scholarships to other children."

While we're looking forward to annual leave or school holidays, families living in poverty are hoping for the chance to earn regular incomes and send their children to school. While we're thinking about what to bring to the family Christmas lunch, families in poverty are wondering if there's going to be enough to eat for their next meal.

Today is a reminder that you can participate in the giving season a little differently. You can stand beside families like Lydia's and give them the opportunities they need to free themselves from poverty. After all, that really is the greatest gift you can give. Donate here.