The Act of Giving Page
So it struck me the other day that we are all becoming more caring, more giving human beings. Our lives are becoming bombarded with information through the media and the world press about lots of new Charities and old faithful’s, asking us to finding new ways to ‘give’. Give a pound or two, make someone happy by giving through a monthly donation, give to a child who is starving or a women who has lost their family, someone who has Aids… even Mr Cameron wants us to give to the Big Society… the list is endless and it seems everyone is as valid as the other. Truth is we all need money, I need money, you need money and the banks need money.
So why do we feel that we should help someone else? Why then do we feel that we should put our hands in our pockets and give something to help someone or something that we really know nothing about? Well it could be several things, first it could be because you are stupid and you will just do anything that you are told. Or it could be that you have sympathy for that person or that cause or you feel guilty that you are in a good situation, or you are in a good job and you want to make sure you feel you are doing some good somewhere? Well we probably all suffer from those positions at sometime, however I would like to suggest that it is only in the simple act of giving that we truly find ourselves!
Interestingly though it is only when we find a position of wealth or the experience of plenty, that we start to understand that we are in fact a caring society and culture. We now have the opportunity to experience abundance & through the new technology advancements, we can see what is really happening in other parts of the world and see how other human beings are trying to make a difference, trying to do something to help other with their problems. Granted they don’t always tell us the truth but we get the idea that somewhere someone needs our help. And they do, about 2/3rds of the world is in poverty, and I think that the figures show that only about 15% have education and security. That’s 85% that are looking for help in the world today. That’s not to say that the world is in a bad situation as things like education is on the rise but its very slow, and it has only been since the second world war 60 years ago that we have started to see the world coming together to solve some of these global problems.
My point is that we as human beings what to help where there is crisis, and somehow we then all seem to pull together to do something or provide something to help solve that problem. that would suggest that are also great problem solvers.
So if we are great carers, great givers and great problem solvers, what are we getting from it??
Well working in Africa has shown me a few things and it would seem that in the act of giving there is held a few well kept secrets. The Muslims believe that when we give unconditionally (that means without any expectations of any return) we will receive a blessing from God, that’s not to say that you have to believe in God, it is just saying, (as in Christianity) that if you give to a worthy cause you will receive something back (usually x10fold). Even Jesus was seen to be helping the poor and announced that through the act of giving up your worldly belongings, you would gain access to Heaven. So why is it so important??
Well I believe it is human nature to give and to love, this is what sets us free, we love to share and we enjoy the experience more if there are more people having a good time. We are a caring society & culture, and it would seem to be true that by sharing a part of ourselves we feel free! We feel released and a sense of calm and happy. Contentment only happens with the feeling of doing good things. Yes it is in our nature to care as we do for our children to care for other peoples children, as we so often see in third world counties and in foster parents here in the West.
Caring and giving comes naturally, so what stops us giving or giving more? Well I guess its because either we ourselves feel in crisis or that we have already given, or that you don’t have anything more to give. All could be true but it maybe that we really don’t know where our money is going! It could be down to trust and in knowing fully what that money is going to be used for. And you would be right to question where, if you are giving something, is it going to end up. That is why we here at “The Wheels for Africa Appeal” encourage you to take some responsibility and follow where your donation goes. We want you to get the full effect of giving, we want you to know how much good your few pounds are doing and how the big donations are being spent.
We believe that if we have transparency it will not only help us in an ever changing world but it will also give our supporters, partners and patrons a way to feel a part of what we are all contributing toward and how good it feels when we are all supporting that cause. “You wouldn’t buy shares in a company if you didn’t know anything about that company, now would you”?? So it is now left to you, I have done my bit know it is time for you to do yours, if you trust us and you feel you want to help us to help people with a disability in Africa then go and make a donation on the donation page and please feel free to ask for information as to where and how we are spending your money. Don’t forget we are always looking for volunteers and giving yourself to the cause can mean so many things and be done in so many ways.
So don’t be shy offer your help, I’m sure we will find a way you can get involved and help out. Don’t forget you are always blessed and by giving you are reminded of that blessing and blessed some more!!! On behalf of all the people in Africa with a disability.
Thank you for your support, Adrian xx
