Musings on giving, doing good, and being charitable
Merry Christmas! Seasons Greetings!! Happy Holidays!!! You’ve most likely said one or all of these expressions recently. You must have also received heartfelt and copycat messages (some people don’t just make the effort), and seen loads of matching pyjama pictures (or just plain old family pictures). It’s the season for good wishes and heartfelt cheer because we celebrate life as we look forward to the New Year.
December is typically a very active month for socialites: parties, concerts, get-togethers, parties, raves, and all whatnot. This December has not been different as there has been no dearth of social activities for everyone and anyone interested and able to afford to attend these events. With Detty December becoming an accidental cultural phenomenon and attracting even non-Nigerians, the amount of money that has exchanged hands this year, especially in Lagos, must be impressive.
Undoubtedly, many discerning and strategically placed service providers within the entertainment space would have had sleepless nights compensated by constant credit alerts. If nothing, the traffic in the commercial areas speaks to this. I can’t help thinking about how this “stroke of luck” that has befallen Lagos can be spread across the state and even the country. Anyway, that’s a story for another day.
In all the revelry, many people have also found time to show love to others, after all, Christmas is the season for giving. I have seen and know of a few people who have organised food packs for random people, crowdfunded money for indigent widows and families, and conducted hospital visitations, settling the medical bills of many patients. Even those who may not have had the capacity for such large-scale giving have also mustered resources to share with the needy around them. These are hard times and every little thing goes a long way. Thankfully, many have embodied the true Christmas spirit, helping others to know a little joy, hope, and love because someone spared a little something for them.
I love how, without question, many people assume the responsibility of making the holiday period a little brighter for others. It is hard to see people celebrating: wearing new clothes, and feasting, when one has fallen on hard times. It has been a tough year in Nigeria and people are wondering whether there is even a need to get excited about the holiday. How does one celebrate when the family has not had a decent meal, one can’t even think of providing a feast in that instance. How does one even think of getting new clothes for the children when the rent is due and there’s no source of funds to renew it? In such cases, getting by daily is the focus and celebrating is most likely not a consideration.
There are so many people in need these days. With the economic challenges this country has faced, even many people one would ordinarily expect to be well-off or at least in a good place, are probably struggling right now. How many companies have been able to review their compensation in line with inflation? How many people have remained jobless since they lost their source of income? How many people are struggling to cope with the increasing costs of everything? Truly, not everyone who smiles is happy inside, challenges are plenty!
I’ve been thinking about a few things recently. First, it often seems (maybe, maybe not) that many of us regularly wait till periods like this to do good and show love. I find that more people seem to be championing some charitable act and I tend to see more news about such activity around year-end. Perhaps awareness is higher and compassion is greater? Chances are that the reality of one’s abundance compared with another’s lack, is more obvious at times like this. Don’t get me wrong though, I know some people do acts of kindness all year round. We value and celebrate them: only God knows how much such people contribute to society. Many have stepped in when the government or even family failed, and their singular action has made a world of difference in the lives they have touched. However, good works still appear to be more concentrated around this period.
Another thing that has been on my mind is how we do a lot of individual good: I give a few friends some money when I can and you support a few people with help when they need it: this is good. We see the needs around us and we become our brother’s keeper but I often can’t help thinking how unsustainable this can become. There is only so much one person can do with his/her limited resources which means more significant needs may not be met. It is very easy for someone who has been helped to turn their helper into a saviour and expect all their needs to be met through that person. It is also very easy for the helper to experience donor fatigue when it seems as though they are that person’s only hope. I have experienced this and I have also seen it happen.
As a people, I believe that we haven’t quite sustained a “strength in numbers” approach to doing good. Yes, we have a million and one charitable organisations but how much impact do they generate in areas of significant need? Many organisations are focused on supporting with food, perhaps clothing: similar to individual givers but what about health, accommodation, education, and most importantly, economic empowerment? How much impact has been achieved in teaching people how to fish instead of having them constantly begging for fish?
I would love to see the Christmas-giving spirit become part of our lifestyle, where we give not just for sustenance but also for longevity. Part of this expectation also considers how our collective voices can prevail on relevant arms of government to at least do the work they were set up to do. In reality, many of the gaps we fill as individuals were left open because the government didn’t do what it was supposed to do.
We all desire a better society but we also have to put in the work collectively to achieve this. Let us all work together to achieve a greater impact that can positively change the lives of more people and ultimately improve our country. We can do this. As always, this is the way I see things today.Photo credit