4 Things to do to Give Back without Spending a Fortune this Year
This year, consider having a resolution or two that helps combat social issues and assists those who may be less fortunate than you.
25/01/2023
When the new year starts, most people
make resolutions for personal development and
progress, including financial, professional and
family life. For this year, consider also having
a resolution or two that helps combat social
issues and assists those who may be less
fortunate than you. As the old adage goes, ‘to
whom much is given, much is expected’.
Here are four possible ways of giving back to
this year without having to spend a fortune:
Donate unwanted items that are still useful
The start of the year is a great time to go
through your home and pack up things that you no
longer use. If you do not have enough money to
share with the less fortunate, rather donate
these unwanted items that would be useful to
someone else.
In the current economic
climate, it’s harder to donate money than a few
years before. Even corporations are feeling the
pinch as shown by Corporate Social Investment
trends - let alone private individuals. As a
result, it seems like the new trend is slanting
giving to non-cash contributions.
A
study
by local corporate responsibility consultancy,
Trialogue which was published in The Trialogue
Business in Society Handbook found that, “More
companies reported making non-cash contributions
(of products, services and time) during the
current financial year – 77% of companies in
2022, up from only 29% in 2021. Non-cash giving
as a proportion of total social investment
increased from 13% in 2021 to 15% in 2022.”
Give a bracelet to a friend and help hydrate communities
Relate Bracelets is a
Non-Governmental Organisation that affords the
public the opportunity to give to charitable
causes indirectly, or without having to reach
out to the organisations working on the causes
themselves.
The 100% not-for-profit
social enterprise sells handmade African cause
bracelets to raise money for charities and
create jobs for the underprivileged. So by
purchasing an inexpensive beaded bracelet, you
can
support charitable causes that bring water
to communities without clean water, or the fight
against malaria and other health causes, provide
better quality of education or even our help
wildlife conservation projects, including the
protection of vulnerable species like rhino and
elephants. These bracelets can be bought through
retailers such as Poetry and Woolworths.
Identify an orphanage and support it
South Africa is one of the global leaders in
terms of unfavorable statistics concerning
orphans. Offering your time and, if possible,
other resources to orphanages in support of the
children and the organisations is one of the
best ways of giving back this year. Perhaps you
can help with fundraising when needed, or if you
have a knack for gardening, give of your time to
help spruce up an orphanage garden.
According to a
study in The Lancet Child &
Adolescent Health, South Africa ranked second
highest of the 21 countries modelled, with 7.22
orphans per 1 000, behind the South American
country of Peru, which recorded 8.28 orphans per
1 000, according to a study in The Lancet Child
& Adolescent Health. The same report states
that, 134 500 South African children were
orphaned or lost a caregiver due to COVID-19.
Simply giving a bit of your time can make a big
difference in the lives of these children.
Spread love among the furry friend
Giving
back isn’t limited to helping human beings in
compromised situations. There are other precious
lives that you can impact positively with your
time and efforts.
You can spend time
caring for vulnerable animals at an animal
shelter. There are shelters for domesticated
animals that would appreciate your service, as
much as the animals themselves. These are
usually rescued animals and animals with
physical weaknesses that need humans to interact
with them. If you do not have the time to
donate, you can donate money to shelters and
conservation causes that serve to protect
endangered wild animals.
Make this year
the year of giving back to the world. We need it
now more than ever.