Transformational Changes and Social Responsibility

We live in a society where we hold some values to uphold each other for the well-being of the community

• When you donate, you send a strong message of hope, support, love and compassion to the less fortunate that there are people in this world who care about them

Tasneem Hossain

‘Your greatness is not what you have, it’s what you give.’

We live in a society where we hold some values to uphold each other for the well-being of the community. Accordingly, most of us have given in one way or another: either by helping a friend, giving donations, spending time volunteering, or helping someone in some way. Giving is an act of kindness which creates a feeling of satisfaction which cannot be compared with any other feeling.

‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others’- Gandhi

When you help others who need it, it’s charity given with the full intention to help with generosity. It’s love, love of humanity.

Charity is an act of care which involves giving money, goods or time and effort to those who need it. It’s a humanitarian act and expects nothing in return.

When you see a child starving on the streets, a beggar with sunken eyes lying on the pavements -how do you feel? I believe, we all feel compassion for them. But how much do we do to help them?

It’s estimated that around 3 billion people of earth’s population live in poverty which consists of nearly one billion children?  About 22,000 of these children die each day. Hunger is one of the leading causes of death among the poor.

The governments, alone, may not always be fully equipped to help all these needy people.

We, as individuals, also try to help in our own ways. But, sometimes, it may not be possible to help on a larger scale.

So, charity organizations are set up to help provide the basic necessities like food, shelter and clothing to the ultra-poor and most vulnerable to have a better standard of living; and to reach out to different parts of the society.

We can donate to these organizations and collectively work towards creating an equitable society that benefits everyone.

Giving donations to the causes you care about can be highly rewarding, self-gratifying and life-changing in many ways.

When we think of charity, one name comes first in our minds: Mother Teresa. Her charitable work truly began in 1948, when she adopted Indian citizenship and dedicated herself to the cause of helping the poorest people in the country. She opened several hospices and instituted leper houses and orphanages and even established a congregation which helped to grow into many charitable organizations around the globe.

She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 ‘for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace.’

Her life has been a source of inspiration for many people to this day. She is remembered as a woman of great faith and selfless devotion for charitable purposes. In fact, she left such a legacy that in 2011, the Hungarian Parliament chose to honor her death anniversary by declaring it a national holiday. In 2012, the UN General Assembly, in its resolution, designated 5th of September (death anniversary of Mother Teresa) as the International Day of Charity.

The Day was established with the objective to highlight the power of charity in mitigating humanitarian crises and human sufferings; to raise awareness of our social responsibilities; to mobilize people, NGOs, and stakeholders through volunteering and philanthropic activities in solidarity to eradicate human sufferings around the globe.

Each year, both the UN and independent charities hold events to honor this special day.

Other than donating money, you can get involved by volunteering to teach children, plant trees, visit a hospice, old home or a homeless shelter; help in a soup kitchen, or a place in our community that serves the underprivileged; donate clothes or provide food. Attend fundraising events hosted by charity organizations where all, or some, of the proceeds are donated to a specific cause; create awareness about the day with your families and friends; or sponsor a child living in poverty.

Do you know that nearly two thirds of Cancer Research’s income comes from donations alone?

Giving donations to the causes you care about can be highly rewarding, self-gratifying and life-changing in many ways.

When you give to charity, you are helping to fund important research projects into fighting diseases and life enhancing programs. Even a small donation can go a very long way. It can help to change a life of an individual and lead to vital improvements to your community.

Millions around the globe give to charity regularly to support causes they believe in. Each of us can choose to donate depending on the causes we prefer, our income, lifestyle, and financial situations.

When a person is in great need of basic necessities and can’t find it, it may sometimes lead that person to steal or turn to violence. The consequences could be harsh.

Charity organizations teach job skills to the needy, which equip them to survive and become independent earners. Your decision to donate can make transformational changes to these individuals.

No matter how you choose to give charity, you’ll be making a difference. There are always many reasons for you to make a donation.

Children deserve to have a safe and carefree childhood. Sponsoring a child or donating to reputed children’s charities like ‘Save the Children’, ‘World Vision Bangladesh’ or UNICEF can help them have a safe childhood.

Those suffering due to war, conflict or natural disasters can be helped by donating to organizations like the ‘The Red Cross’ or ‘Red Crescent Society’.

Think of the flood situation in Bangladesh. Relief work is going on in the flood affected areas with donations by individuals, volunteer groups and the humanitarian organizations along with the government to provide support in the form of food, emergency medicines, clothes and shelter.

During these hard times, we have heard about shopkeepers giving free medicines, free dry food to volunteers working for the flood affected people. These incidents speak volumes about human compassion. Giving charity builds and strengthens the community and country as a whole.

Your actions can inspire others. Motivate your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours to get involved too. There’s power in numbers: the more people come forward the more people can be benefitted.

When you donate, you send a strong message of hope, support, love and compassion to the less fortunate that there are people in this world who care about them.

Children are by nature compassionate. Sharing your experience of donating with your children will reinforce this generosity in them to grow into kind human beings.

“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.’ -Helen Keller

Giving to charity is one of the best ways to show gratitude for all the blessings you have been given. This generosity will not only make a difference in the lives of others but will also enrich your own life in innumerable ways. Research shows that acts of giving and kindness create positive feelings and can help improve mental wellbeing.  It also strengthens personal values; gives a feeling of purpose and self-worth in life.

Poverty is a threat for the international community. By charitable contributions you are helping to reach the SDG goals 2030 Agenda of eradicating poverty in all forms, adopted in September 2015, by the UN.  Charity plays a crucial role to solve global problems of poverty, hunger, disease, untimely death, health care, education, housing, and climate change and child safety. It also promotes the rights of the marginalized and underprivileged.

When you donate, you send a strong message of hope, support, love and compassion to the less fortunate that there are people in this world who care about them. It demonstrates your commitment to create a more caring and compassionate society to bring a positive change in the world.

‘..Giving liberates the soul of the giver’-Maya Angelou

Let’s unite and fulfil our social responsibilities to bring about positive transformational changes in the world for a healthier, happier and peaceful home for everyone.

Read: The Journey Beyond – A Bouquet of Poems from Bangladesh

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Tasneem Hossain, majoring in English Language and Literature, is a multi-lingual poet from Bangladesh. She writes poems in English, Urdu and Bengali. She is also a columnist, fiction and op-ed writer, translator, educator and trainer. As an op-ed writer, she has written more than 125 articles within a span of three years and have appeared in different countries. Some of her articles are used as teaching material in some countries. Her poems have been translated in seven languages; and published in 27 countries in literary journals worldwide. She runs an international poetry writing project and group named Life in Lyrics. She is author of three poetry books: ‘Grass in Green,’ ’The Pearl Necklace,’ ‘Floating Feathers’ and a book of articles ‘Split and Splice’. Four more books are underway. She worked as faculty of English Language in Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology. She is the director of a prominent human resource development organization Continuing Education Centre (Bangladesh) and Cansaz Services and Distribution LLC (Canada). A sportswoman, she also worked as newscaster, commentator and radio presenter in radio Bangladesh for 10 years and directed dramas like Shakespeare’s, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. She is regular contributor of Sindh Courier. 

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