Charity is defined as the benevolence or generosity towards others or towards humanity. In my previous entries, I mentioned how a friend was frustrated at being flagged down repeatedly by people asking for donations on the streets. She then read my entry on how charity seems a like a show nowadays and declared that she felt that charities are doing too little themselves. She feels that local charities are only sticking out their hands and expecting people to donate on the basis of sympathy.
How far that is true is not for anyone to say but the move for charities here to declare how their funds are managed will definitely provide some accountability to the donors and sponsors. After all, it would seem quite weird that an organisation which claims to wholeheartedly help the needy to have people within who profiteer from the donations. It would sound like a case of misplacing the trust of kind hearted souls. Anyway if the charities do not have anything to hide, it should be a welcome move.
While money will definitely come in useful, the goal of most charities is to create awareness of the plight of the needy and if possible reduce the number of needy. However some of this awareness created has become somewhat misconstrued. Apparently the impression that most people have about charities is that they just need money. Apart from money, more can be done through volunteer work which in fact is more meaningful as well. I have helped out at a few Old Folks' Homes before but my most memorable experience was during the period I helped out at a Children's Home. The children in the Home came from broken families and most of them were not receptive to people initially. It took patience and sincerity to let them know that they can grow up to be useful people in society. The greatest joy came from the genuine gratitude they expressed in appreciation for the aid and friendship.
Charities can also do more on their part to ensure that funds are spent more efficiently and wisely. In some charities, physically challenged people were trained to wash cars to make them more financially independent. This kills two birds with one stone as it also increases their self worth. Both charities and donors have a part to play to ensure that the true meaning of charity is not lost. Charity should come from the heart and not the wallet.
1 comment:
Hi ray, glad you liked it!
i took a look at your blog and perhaps Singaporeans have succumbed to the mob mentality as you have said. Empathy and compassion comes from within and day by day we can show it in many ways, starting from the home and workplace.
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