This has been a devastating weekend for a lot of friends of mine either situated in Nepal or with family and friends in Nepal. The impact of a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 is still being ascertained as a combination of aftershocks, damaged infrastructure, and poor weather hamper relief efforts in the areas most affected. What people seem to know for sure is that the impact will be far greater than currently known, not just in loved ones lost, but through those displaced and in desperate need for basic essentials, that a relatively poor country, with nearly 40% estimated by the UN already living in poverty, will struggle to support.
It seems that often we hear about a country, a people, those that we don’t know much about, those that seem distant to us suffering from an emergency, or from war, or from corruption and dictators, or purely suffering because we as a world cannot cope with what we have done through population implosion and pollution. We take in what the media has to say and shake our heads briefly thinking about how sad it all is. And then we continue on our day.
I feel more deeply for Nepal because of the friends I have who have stirred in me an affection for their home. It affects me because my Facebook feed, Instagram and Twitter accounts are filled with friends checking in to let us all know they are safe, or sharing stories of their difficulty in passing the night, or requesting our prayers. The minute I heard about the devastation I had a number of faces flash through my mind. And yet, when I heard about the earthquake in Nepal, I had an initial thought: if I was wealthier or had more time, I would be able to help.
This is not an uncommon thought for me. Another one I have heard from others is: when I am older and have less responsibility, or when I retire, I am going to make a difference. The problem with tomorrow, as the old saying goes, is that it never comes. And if you are reading this, it is very likely that all these excuses are pure rubbish for you too. Because, if you have the wealth to access a computer, or you have the time to peruse social media and read this sort of thing, you have both the time and the money enough to make a difference. Not just for Nepal, but for whatever matters to you.
We talk to our friends about living a balanced life. (I am particularly fond of this phrase.) We want to be successful at our jobs, but have a life outside of that work. Some of us want travel, others family, others spirituality, and some all of the above. We attempt to take care of our bodies, meditate, socialise and bring together our families. We push ourselves to be better in all these areas and yet, when it comes to the really big picture there is always something missing.
There are a million reasons to participate in charitable endeavours. Giving is perhaps the most fulfilling form of spirituality, meditation, socialising, and, simply put, betterment that I can think of. As human beings we yearn for community. Giving allows us that community. It makes us part of something far greater than ourselves. It gives us a sense of accomplishment. It gives us activity and socialising when we volunteer or participate in fundraising with others. It challenges us to face some uncomfortable truths about what the world is like, and then inspires us as we watch individuals overcome great adversity, miracles on a daily basis. It educates us on things outside our daily lives. It educates our children on the importance of gratitude and on how lucky they are. It gives us an awareness of our place in the world. It pushes us to care about something more, and often to take a point of view.
On top of this the act of giving could have practical benefits of an economic nature. If you’re building a brand or a business of sorts, aligning yourself to a specific cause, joining a board, joining a group that allows networking within a charitable program, all can be hugely beneficial. It looks good on your CV and it looks good on your website. If you’re a small business or even a big corporation it is an excellent way of attracting and motivating the right team.
So giving really is, somewhat paradoxically, a selfish endeavour. We give not because we are altruistic but because of what we get in return. Whatever our reason for giving it is important that it become part of our lives now!
There are other excuses I hear about not giving, mostly because people don’t know how to give, whom to give to, or whether it makes a difference. As a fundraiser, here a few tips I’ve shared with some of my friends to get you started:
- It always makes a difference! Every $1, £1, 1 of any currency adds up if a few thousand/ million people give. We need to recognise this and be happy to be a part of the difference, not purely because we want to make the biggest difference.
- Organisations value, above all things, monetary donations. This is because it gives them the ability to hire the best people, professionals, to get the job done well. This is in no way because they do not appreciate your time and efforts, but because by running a charity efficiently they can make effective and powerful impact.
- Find a charity or a cause that matters to you. There is nothing wrong with supporting a number of different causes. But I have found that the greatest inspiration and impact for an individual is when they align themselves with a cause that profoundly inspires or matters to them. Also, if it matters to you, think about the practical implications for your ‘brand’ of supporting a charity. Does it have the opportunities you want it to have?
- Stop focusing on how much money the charity spends on administration and instead focus on the impact they make. When you buy any product you don’t spend your time checking their administration costs but rather value the product as it stands to you. A non-profit organisation’s outcome should be valued similarly. Of course you don’t want them to be using your donation for personal gain, but most reputable organisations have a level of transparency that will allow you to find confidence in the management team driving it forward. Research organisations online and find out as much as you can about them to give you that confidence. Another way to find out information is reach out to friends, you’ll be surprised by how much gets done through word of mouth.
- The most meaningful way of giving to a person is when they give their time and effort. This is because when we volunteer our time we are actively including ourselves in the greater good and not just writing a cheque. While I said that money matters most to an organisation, volunteers matter as well. Just make sure you are using your skill set to make the difference. Do what you want to do, and commit to it! Treat it as a job, as something you can’t just do as a whim, because when you say you’re going to be there it means people are relying on you. Volunteering can include everything from hosting an event to introduce your network to the cause to painting classrooms, or even updating a database because that is what your skillset is most aligned with. Others are motivated by personal interaction and so volunteer to read, educate, treat depending on their comfort level and abilities. Start by contacting your organisation and perhaps asking what they need. It costs money to organise volunteers effectively, so make sure you are being used where it is most useful.
- Question your charity. Make sure you are constantly pushing them to give you clear answers. If you are giving your money to an organisation you should have confidence in them and the work they are doing. There is nothing wrong with asking the questions that will give you that confidence. It also ensures that the charity is kept on its toes, being innovative and effective.
- If you have the capacity to, put something aside for moments such as the Nepal emergency. These are important times that require all of humanity to reach a little further than we normally do to help those in their greatest times of need.
Please feel free to message me if you have any questions on the above. I have experience working with charities, and have a number of friends who do, so would be very happy to elucidate.
If you are as profoundly impacted by the Nepal emergency as I am here are a few organisations that are on the ground already making a difference:
Local Charities: An old school friend’s brothers living in Kathmandu are pulling together funding and directing it in the most effective way. Please feel free to fund them directly.
Save The Children: Has been in Nepal since 1976. 10% of the funding is going to prepare for future disasters. They are initially focused on the basics such as water sanitation and blankets for babies on the streets.
The Red Cross: You’ve heard the name because they are experts in emergency support. They know what they are doing.
The Art of Just Being 