'Ah cud get a toy for meh neice? She 2, she small,' begged a lady with shiny, brown weave behind blue steel glasses.
It was Christmas Day and I was handing out donated presents to people who couldn't afford the calibre of Christmas most of us have. They left the valleys and jagged pathways around their houses to collect a free pastel, spoon of pelau and a gift.
The gifts we were giving out were so limited we were unable to give to anyone without the child present. And this lady didn't bring her niece.
'I can't give you a gift, but I can give you this book. It's for older children but you can read it to your niece,' I told her, looking over the top of her glasses to her foggy irises.
Though I felt bad at first that her niece would go without, I concluded that the book was an even better gift than a plastic dolly. Because the lady would have to spend time with the niece, to read to her. That way she would be nuturing her mind, and her trust that there are grown ups that care about her. The little girl will look up to her aunt and follow the movements of her mouth, learning words she might use in a few years in an essay that will earn her a great grade. She will sit among her peers and tell them stories about Sundays by Tantie reading and listening, and they may look at her confused--because her friends were always left unattended, with a plastic dolly.
It's not always like this. Some economically poor families have amazingly strong foundations, caring parents and produce model citizens. But statistics tell us that that is the minority, the exception.
As we move forward into 2012 VCTT would like to invite everyone to reflect on 'how do I give back?' Do you simply donate $5 online without knowing how it is used, or hand a vagrant a plate of food without ensuring he eats it, or send a hamper to a family without visiting them to see if they may need more than just cans of food?
Let us reach out our hands with a purpose. Let us not waste the opportunities to revolutionise society from the bottom up by focusing our volunteer efforts where they need be.
This mentality is engrained in VCTT volunteers and is part of its mission. Become part of the culture of volunteerism, and give with a purpose. Happy 2012!
It was Christmas Day and I was handing out donated presents to people who couldn't afford the calibre of Christmas most of us have. They left the valleys and jagged pathways around their houses to collect a free pastel, spoon of pelau and a gift.
The gifts we were giving out were so limited we were unable to give to anyone without the child present. And this lady didn't bring her niece.
'I can't give you a gift, but I can give you this book. It's for older children but you can read it to your niece,' I told her, looking over the top of her glasses to her foggy irises.
Though I felt bad at first that her niece would go without, I concluded that the book was an even better gift than a plastic dolly. Because the lady would have to spend time with the niece, to read to her. That way she would be nuturing her mind, and her trust that there are grown ups that care about her. The little girl will look up to her aunt and follow the movements of her mouth, learning words she might use in a few years in an essay that will earn her a great grade. She will sit among her peers and tell them stories about Sundays by Tantie reading and listening, and they may look at her confused--because her friends were always left unattended, with a plastic dolly.
It's not always like this. Some economically poor families have amazingly strong foundations, caring parents and produce model citizens. But statistics tell us that that is the minority, the exception.
As we move forward into 2012 VCTT would like to invite everyone to reflect on 'how do I give back?' Do you simply donate $5 online without knowing how it is used, or hand a vagrant a plate of food without ensuring he eats it, or send a hamper to a family without visiting them to see if they may need more than just cans of food?
Let us reach out our hands with a purpose. Let us not waste the opportunities to revolutionise society from the bottom up by focusing our volunteer efforts where they need be.
This mentality is engrained in VCTT volunteers and is part of its mission. Become part of the culture of volunteerism, and give with a purpose. Happy 2012!
