Let's Talk—Importance of Being Charitable from a Young Age!
Circa 2001, I was in 7th grade when a national level NGO—Cancer Aid Society conducted a cancer awareness program in my high-school! They told us about the dangers of smoking cigarettes and made a great presentation on the subject. They demonstrated how they are helping people in our society, and it made a great impact on my young mind to say the least.
Prior to this event, I hadn’t heard about anything like this happening at a large scale at all. While I felt sad about so many people who were affected but the initiative seemed impressive. There was a ray of hope for people out there. There were people making life a little bit easier for those affected.
Towards the end of their presentation, they asked us kids at school if we would be interested in helping them with their awareness campaign by talking to our respective family members and neighbours about the ill-effects of smoking cigarettes, symptoms, causes and treatments for cancer. They also gave us a few information cards/pamphlets and requested us to help raise some funds by seeking out donations.
I went back home, assembled my parents and grandparents together and informed them about the cancer awareness program at school, and my desire to raise donations to help cancer patients. Surprisingly, everyone in my family agreed and enthusiastically donated towards the cause. Having raised INR250 and INR50 from my lil’ piggy bank saved over the course of nearly a year, I set about my neighbourhood seeking donations. I roped in a friend along with me and we went door to door.
Some were willing to hear us out, others wouldn’t entertain us beyond the free information we provided. Many were simply willing to donate some money but lacked interest in reading the pamphlet. High on idealism and energy I simply refused to take their money, until they read the card in front of me. Many were kind enough to spare their time and donate a few rupees and about 2 days later I had amassed a grand total of INR650 ($10 today).
It was an incredible amount. I’d never held that much money at the time in my hands. The most I had achieved in my ‘piggy bank’ was couple of hundred rupees after a year or so of saving. But I found no hesitation in giving some of it away.
So, I went to school with the money, being very careful about it and gave it to the organization. I had a proud moment when I found out that I had raised the maximum donations towards the cause as an individual in my school and they gave me this little trophy and I felt like I had changed the world a little bit.
This was when I first truly felt within me that philanthropy was something I could do in my spare time, some time in life when I was capable of giving back to the society around me.
In my 10th grade, I helped a man by paying him for his train tickets back home when he narrated how his valuables were stolen on his journey. I found out later that this was a common tactic that scammers used. But, there was no way to verify and this could’ve been true!
I realized how bad this could be if it were true, when I was put in this situation when my valuables and laptop was stolen 2 years ago on a trip.
Looking back I'm glad I helped him out even as his phone number never worked, and he never returned the money that he promised he would. That's okay. I learnt two lessons here and life sorted itself out.
Today, as I write this story I’ve come to realize that giving away a little of what I have doesn’t make me poorer. Having earned my own money through hard work and effort, I don’t feel the pinch, or an empty feeling in my gut after transferring a big chunk of my money towards a cause that I think is helping make our world a better place to live. But, I don't let anyone compel me or influence my decisions and only refer to my better judgement.
I don’t indulge in any casual lending but I love assisting charitable causes because of a simple truth in my life, 'I’ve always received more than I needed in my life and always have some spare to give!'
By doing some things correctly I've earned goodwill of many and that's more than I could have asked for. It's important that we pay it forward whenever we can. It'll go a long way in improving somebody's life in ways you can never imagine! On Steemit I always think first of @gardenofeden and the work they are doing in their community.
Remember, money is just a means to an end. You can never take it with you when it's time to kick the bucket. Make a positive difference in somebody's life if you have an opportunity to do so or take the initiative yourselves.
Steemit has helped me make a positive difference in many more lives as a direct result of my increased earnings. I've cultivated a habit to get involved in some community initiatives from time to time organised through my immediate social circle. I’ve also donated $1000 over the past month and i’ll share some details about the same very soon.
A little insight into what I’ve done over the past year:
- Starting 2017 with a Bang by Bringing Joy to HIV Positive Kids!
- Paying It Forward: Quick Recap of Few Good Things Done Right in 2016
I'm proud to say that your support on my work on Steemit has enabled all this.
Have you ever experienced kindness from a stranger? I'd love to hear your story in the comments below.
If you like my work, please share my posts and follow my blog to support me. You may also continue reading my recent posts which might interest you:
- TheQuint Features My Story as an Early Adopter to Bitcoin, Steemit & More!
- Let's Talk—How To Deal Effectively with Steemit Skeptics on Facebook and Reddit!
Great article @firepower! My first experience of feeling like I wanted to help people was when I was in 7th grade, and my dad used to smoke cigarettes. I had heard a lot about the effects of smoking and I really wanted him to stop, but talking to him about it didn't seem to make any difference. So I researched and wrote a speech for a class project about all the reasons why smoking is bad for a persons health, and I presented it to my class, and to him. Lol sound familiar. A few years later he did eventually quit :)
I absolutely agree that philanthropy is an important part of life. And I don't think I would be happy if I wasn't involved in these kinds of activities. I think that once I became aware of certain social and humanitarian issues, I couldn't ignore them. I had to take part. Sort of like once you have the problem starting you in the face, you have to take some responsibility for it, in whatever way you can. I think we are all faced with this challenge. And it takes perseverance sometimes to take responsibility for things that are so much bigger than us. But I think it's harder to ignore them. And it's really worth doing something to help in the end. Thanks so much for sharing this! :)
Thank you Natasha for sharing this with me! I'm glad to know that he quit smoking daily. Overdoing anything can lead to terrible consequences sometimes. It would've been great to see your presentation I'm sure. It certainly had a positive impact on your dad, which I think is great!
It's hard for me to shy away from facing situation as they come. If i'm in a position to help, I try. 90% of the time I'm able to help, but sometimes it might not be possible.
I'm happy to see you stop by on my blog and take the time to read and write back such a wonderful reply! :)
God Bless You Mate....Good things come to those that give.
Thank you so much :)
Well done post @firepower. You deserve for getting Upvote from me. I appreciate on it and like it so much . Waiting for your latest post. Keep your good work and steeming on. Let's walk to my blog. I have a latest post. Your upvote is high motivation for me. Almost all Steemians do their best on this site. Keep steeming and earning.
Thank you so much for the kind words. Keep steeming. Cheers! :)
U are welcome @firepower please visit my blog and help by Upvoting
This comment has received a 0.08 % upvote from @booster thanks to: @hamzaoui.
This comment has received a 0.07 % upvote from @booster thanks to: @hamzaoui.
This karma thing really works
It surely does :)
This is a good post from your side. Everyone should do help to others which are in need of help. Do help and you will get help too. And it is good to be charitable from a young age. We should be charitable and encourage others to do the same. Our a small help can be very helpful for others. In india we can see many of the people help the beggers. I am not saying donating to beggers is a kind of charity but it is not completely different. Upvoted buddy.keep up the good work.
It is the parents who can motivate their child to be a charitable person from a very young age, when people know that their charity will go in the right hands and will not be misused then everyone wants to help others, but due to some corrupt governments and fake NGOs people took the charity in their own hands, especially in Asian countries like India and Pakistan @firepower
True that. But then there are some really good people out there doing some amazing and great things and that matters the most.
Thank you so much. Glad you could share your views with me. Cheers! :)
You are great buddy. Almost everyone feels sad when they hear about other peoples sad stories but only a very few helps them only.
Help should be given at the necessary time else it would not be useful. God pays u back for every things you do, if u do good to others u 'll get it back.
All the best buddy and keep the good work.
I completely agree with you. Thanks for dropping by. Cheers! :)
My friend, I could have written this myself. I was raised so as not to ignore the misfortunes of others. When I have the opportunity I always try to help those who are less fortunate than me. Sometimes I find myself walking in front of a homeless and ignoring him. As soon as I realize I go back to ask him how he is doing and if he needs something. It makes me feel much better. I can not give these people much but at least a moment of happiness or a simple smile.
This is the part I liked the most: "Many were simply willing to donate some money but lacked interest in reading the pamphlet. High on idealism and energy I simply refused to take their money, until they read the card in front of me" this says a lot about your personality and I like it.
Resteeming this beautiful article hoping that others could take something from it. By the way, I'm Steven. Hope we can connect some time :)
Thank you. Glad you shared your views. Nice to meet you Steven.
I want to thank you for sharing this post. Its straight FirePower! We must all give in order to receive.
Thank you. Glad I could make a difference :)
This is the most selfless dedicated work you have been doing where those beautiful souls are gonna bless you for eternity and that's an amazing achievement.
Kudos to you!
Thanks dude! :)
One must give to get
think so
True that.