What are your thoughts on charity? Do you think of it as hand-outs that enables a lack of responsibility or do you see it as your responsibility to help those less fortunate? Are you too proud to receive charity when it is extended your way or do you see it as a symbol of care and community whether you are on the receiving or giving end?
As we celebrate the birthday of the late President Nelson Mandela, South Africans are invited to participate in 67 minutes of service to the community. The 67 minutes symbolise the number of years he fought for human rights in South Africa. This annual event on 18 July, honours the life and legacy of Madiba and serves as a chance to reflect on his values and principles as well as a call to action to make a positive impact in your own community. And this year, as our staff participated in bringing a little joy and help to some crèches in the Franschhoek Valley, it made me think about the concept of charity.
There are those who believe charity harms more than it heals. It is true that charity often targets symptoms rather than causes. The soup kitchen might feed the hungry for a day, but there’s still no long-term solution to their hunger. Of course, addressing issues like unemployment, education and poverty is more sustainable and holistic, but surely people can’t go hungry until those ideals are met? And while individuals can’t do much to address such serious issues, they can share their food and bring some joy or comfort.
Helping those who have suffered injustice can be regarded as charity, but when such help does not address the root of the problem, does this mean acceptance of the injustice? Of course not, but like the soup kitchen example, while helping those in need should not be seen as the solution to the problem, it does imply kindness and humanity.
What does charity do to alleviate poverty? Donations, clothes, food or shelter support survival, but do not solve the original problem. Is it possible that when you rely on charity to supply the basics, you can be less motivated to find a solution or to empower yourself? Perhaps, but in many instances, finding a solution is too daunting and in some cases, simply out of reach without support.
Are all charitable actions just short-term solutions? Not at all! The early childhood development centres our staff visited are good examples of long-term investment in a community. While parents can go to work knowing that their children are cared for, these centres do so much more for early childhood development than being a haven. They ensure that these lovely little children receive the stimulation and exposure required to make a success of their education when they go to school and to ensure that they are well adjusted and confident.
I think we need to distinguish between charity that comes from caring and charity that is born out of inefficiencies. When individuals or organisations recognise needs in their communities and decide to help with basics, money or even through education and skills development, it is because they care about the people around them. Perhaps they can’t really solve issues like poverty or unemployment in the short-term, but their decision to get involved makes a difference in everyday lives and has potential for the long-term.
Charities often receive some funding from government. While most of the charities won’t be able to do their work without such support, it is important that the government do not rely on the relief offered by charities and therefore neglect their responsibility to ensure that citizens have access to employment, education and safe living environments to raise their children.
Should we not rather use our energy to keep the government accountable? Will governments not be more focused on bringing change if they don’t have charities helping them out? How sustainable is charity on its own? Is there not a danger that private funding of essential services can become the norm, but without guarantee, legislation or empowerment to ensure sustainable aid to the vulnerable?
These are tough questions and eventually I think it boils down to some simple truths. Most people care about others and support their communities in the way they can afford to or are able to. They often don’t have the political will or expertise to address issues on a higher level, but they feel like they have a responsibility to help. Governments should not need their people to depend on charities for them to honour their responsibilities, but it would also be wrong to prevent people from getting involved in charity or for charitable organisations to do their part when there is a will to do so.
As with all efforts, the charity’s contribution will be more successful when executed strategically, professionally and honestly, but at the heart of charity is humans caring for one another and, in my opinion, that is one of the most valuable human emotions. Adding to that, we might forget the joy it brings to care for others. Often being charitable does a lot for your own wellbeing too, something that was clear looking at the smiling faces of our team when they returned from their 67 minutes on Mandela Day.