Do You Have a Giving Culture?
As many of you know I have been a founding Board Member with Hands Across the Water, an Australian charity that started back in 2005 after the Boxing Day Tsunami. Hands have grown to over six homes across Thailand that provide a safe place, healthy food and education for close to 500 kids (including over 20 that are in University!)
I have visited our homes many times over the years and spent time getting to know the Home Directors, staff and the children (including many that have left our homes and are now starting their own families). One thing that never ceases to amaze me is the kindness and thankfulness for the assistance that they have received. Whilst visiting this week, many of the Thai staff and children were asking about the Australian bushfires and wanting to make sure that we were safe.
They were so moved by what they saw in the news coverage, that the children at 3 of our homes decided to raise funds to do something to help. They sold vegetables and treats, danced, and asked for donations at markets. They raised over $1000, an incredible amount considering these kids live in one of our orphanages and have a very modest lifestyle.
With so much negative press it is great to hear about some of the good that is being created. It made me start thinking about what it takes to have a ‘giving culture’. This is a culture where people want to help others and do something that is positive to support them. I think that we can learn from these wonderful Thai children (and their staff) if we took some time to nurture and grow a giving culture.
How can we do this? I think that there are 3 simple things you can do:
- Share the Dream. When people hear about the good that others do it enables them to dream about what else they could do. This has been apparent with the Australian bushfires with many people doing some amazing things that others supported from comedian Celeste Barber’s Facebook push that raised over $50million to Samantha Gashes Run for Relief that raised over $1m. These accomplishments helped inspire others to give.
- Share the Love. When you see or hear of someone doing something to help and support someone else, share it! Give recognition to those that are creating a giving culture and helping others, be it colleagues or others in need.
- Little Things Count. Creating a giving culture does not always require a big thing. Sometimes small things can be just as powerful. One of the staff at our BTN home always comes over to me and has a wonderful smile on her face and she hugs me and asks about my family. This personal touch shows that she really cares. Staff at work that can do the same create a culture that is supportive and inclusive.
When a group of committed people take action to help and support others incredible things can happen. This can take place at work, in your local community or with a group of Thai orphans. It just takes one person to take a little action to start the momentum.