Social Responsibility: Charity is not a fad

                                            

Due to the attention that some charitable acts bring, some may view social responsibility as the new “cool”, a means of self aggrandisement, an avenue for networking or even just a requirement for a Business School application

Isn’t it such an interesting coincidence that Valentines Day and Ash Wednesday fell on the same day this year?

Service to others.

 In a way, this brings attention to the need for us to show love to each other; as Valentines Day has become a day set out for the expression of love to significant others and other loved ones and Lent is a period of solemnity and selflessness.  The common denominator here is LOVE.
Showing love may sound simple, but if we really think about it, can we mention all the different ways in which our character, behaviour and actions demonstrate this, especially beyond our immediate circles? In our everyday lives, how much time do we spend and thought do we commit to caring about others?

International Agenda.

The recent World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland brought together world leaders to discuss many areas of concern including various global humanitarian crises around poverty, natural disasters, climate change and gender inequality. The statistics were startling, but the fact that people in positions of power recognise that the world needs help brings these issues that people face in various parts of the world to our attention.
It is, however, important not to get carried away by viewing these issues on a grand scale and waiting for the rich and powerful to solve all the problems. Sure, they use their platforms and provide information and resources, but this doesn’t mean the average Joe should sit back and wait for others to help out in these areas. We all have a role to play, in our individual ways, and what we do does not need to be grand.

Nigerian Dilemma.

Let’s bring this discussion home to Nigeria, where it is not uncommon to hear constant ranting and complaints about the work that the government is supposed to do to fix areas such as our crippling education system, poverty, gender inequality, dearth in the supply of power, water and other utilities and so on. The truth is that our problems are enormous and it is difficult to find the starting point to help out in our immediate communities, especially with the knowledge of the level of corruption in our country, which is somewhat infuriating and discouraging to the average Joe in Nigeria who keeps working hard to sustain himself and his family, before even taking the extra step to consider looking beyond the confines of his home for those around him who may need help.
So there seems to be a continuous round of a blame game where people shy away from responsibility and blame certain people for their despair and that of others. Times are inevitably very difficult in our country, so it is easy to think that we are so far from finding solutions that will end the problems we face. It is also easy to play victim of a broken system, and not make the effort to do anything. Some have accepted where we are as the way of life.

Private Initiatives.

However, somehow there might just be a glimmer of hope…in the fact there seems to be some awakening in the area of charity in our society. Looking at this side of the dire situation of helping, we are beginning to see and hear about great charitable initiatives that people have taken bold steps into. Even those have the intentions to do so and do not know where to begin find solace through many community-based programmes and ease of communication through social media. It is becoming easier to form alliances with like-minded people in the area of charity.

While this is a great positive movement, one thing that we need to be mindful of is finding purpose in whatever we set out to do. Due to the attention that some of these charitable acts bring, there seems to be another angle in that social responsibility is now the new “cool”, a means of self aggrandisement, an avenue for networking or even just a requirement for a Business School application.
I recently attended an event that was themed around education and was shocked whilst listening to a presentation an international charity organisation, which has a focus on female empowerment, as majority of the presentation was focused on networking with people in high places and travelling opportunities. I found myself waiting for them to arrive at the part of the speech where they spoke about the actual work in the communities, but it only came at the very end with very little emphasis.

Responsibility Burdens.

Social responsibility is not a fashion statement. It is not the new cool. It is our responsibility as decent human beings to show love and care to our communities selflessly, not expecting anything in return. We all have a role to play. Have we taken a look at those in need across the street from us, on our way to work or somewhere else within our immediate community? Have we reached out to networks of like-minded people in the areas of our concern? Helping those around you is not far-fetched, but let’s remember that we are not doing it for ourselves, we are doing it for mankind.