What is charity?
"When you do something for others from the heart, without expecting gratitude, someone writes it in the book of destinies and sends happiness that you never dreamed of." © Angelina Jolie
Each time in this topic, we ask our interviewers about the place of charity in their lives and hearts. In their answers, some of us are looking for motivation, some are looking for a hero with similar thoughts and attitudes, and some are just interested in reading and drawing a parallel between different views.
Svitlana Hinotska, PR Manager of the Dairy Alliance Group:
What does the term charity mean to you?
In the concept of "charity" I put several meanings, which for me are united by one meaning. First, this concept implies "doing good" (without benefit); secondly, charity is defined as "a very necessary and important matter"; third, charity is an indicator of the level of development of society and the country as a whole; fourth, it is, in fact, our contribution to the development of the country and society. If you have the opportunity to do something good, necessary, useful for someone without any greedy benefit - then you should definitely do it to the best of your success and ability. And if this success gives you the opportunity to choose the scale of assistance you can provide, then here you decide how much you can give. Moreover, it can help not only the needy, but also active people who have the talent and skills,
In your opinion, should a person or organization advertise its charity work, or should it be done anonymously?
There are many opinions as to whether charity PR is needed. Some believe that talking about it is immodest, that it is self-promotion. Others look at this situation from another angle: when a person reports his good deeds, because it can serve as an example for others. And in fact, there is nothing terrible, wrong and shameful that people, the environment will know about it. I believe that if you talk about helping someone, this information can attract more attention from other people who can and want to help. However, at this moment the main thing is not to cross the line and not to confuse advertising with bragging. Helping needy people, and at the same time advertising their activities only for the sake of praise, is at least dishonest. If you say that you have done good, you need to show the real results of this good.
Do you think that people with more financial means should help in the first place, or should everyone do it, regardless of their status and income level?
It seems to me that in charity you can’t divide people into rich and poor at all. After all, when we talk about charity, we are not talking about finances, we are talking about good deeds. This can be physical and financial assistance, which can be provided by completely different people with completely different wealth and opportunities. Agree that sometimes 10 kopecks from a promotional package of milk you buy can save someone’s life.
Maria Artemenko, founder of the Charity Development Center and the Benefactors’ Club:
Maria, what does the term charity mean to you?
For me personally, charity is the energy of life. There was a turning point when I realized that we came to this world not so much to consume as to create, to give. I realized that I want to fall asleep every day with the thought that I lived a day, not just so. This plan allows you to implement good deeds. I believe that each of us has a lot of light and opportunities to contribute to the better world we all dream of. This is not about an excess of money and time, it is, first of all, about an open heart.
Do you think a person or organization needs to advertise their charity work or do it anonymously?
We need to talk about positive experiences, as well as negative ones. Positive will inspire people, someone will find themselves in your story, will pay attention, because even a small message can be an inspiration. It is also necessary to talk about experiences and negative experiences. We are used to perceiving mistakes as something critically disgusting. But mistakes are also information that can be useful to others, prevent ineffective actions, or frustrations.
Charity is often in the realm of emotions. I would still advise to separate the ratio from the emotional, to appeal to more practical information, not to critically evaluate the "victory" or "betrayal", there is much between them. Don’t be afraid to include critical thinking. The theory of effective altruism brings us to the need to combine a hot heart with a cold head to make effective decisions in charity. This is the idea we are actively promoting at the Charity Development Center.
Do you think that public people who have more financial opportunities should help in the first place, or should everyone do it regardless of their status and income?
Everyone can help! Good word, services, legal advice, volunteering, financial support, physical strength or personal resources, you can offer anything you want. Main wish! I am very impressed by the example from Italy. It turns out that they have a separate type of volunteering, called "ears". You just come and listen to the person. It is important to find comfortable good deeds that will fill you with energy and joy. I warn you right away! Good deeds have a positive effect on people’s health and happiness. Therefore, if you do not need positive changes in life and well-being, good deeds are not for you.
Oksana Ternova, founder of Dyvo.ua Charitable Foundation:
Oksana, what does charity mean to you?
It is difficult for me to answer this question. I had and still have a desire to change the world for the better. At some point I realized that this is not just a desire, but a necessity. Based on this, I decided to create my own charitable foundation.
Is it worth advertising your charity?
Unequivocally, charity must be advertised. Of course, someone from the environment may perceive this negatively - we like to condemn, but not very much. I know people who help in one way or another, but keep quiet about it because "help is needed quietly." Honestly, I’m very embarrassed when I write or talk about the foundation. But this is wrong - three people will be convicted, and one will be motivated to act. And one is more than zero.
Should charity be everyone’s social responsibility?
I believe that no one is obliged, just because they can. This should be on a voluntary basis only. And as for the level of wealth - you can help not only financially. Sometimes it is enough to make a simple repost on social networks - a second of time and for free; instead of buying a purebred pet, pick it up on the street or take it from a shelter. The same blood to go to donate. There are many options. But, I repeat, only sincerely and voluntarily.
Is it possible to instill in people a desire to do charity?
Of course. I am sure that it is possible to develop social projects on the topic of charity for educational institutions. First of all, educational / informative, as well as mini-projects of real help.
Read also: Kirill Sergeev, Anastasia Dyakova and Roman Kholodov - What is charity?
Each time in this topic, we ask our interviewers about the place of charity in their lives and hearts. In their answers, some of us are looking for motivation, some are looking for a hero with similar thoughts and attitudes, and some are just interested in reading and drawing a parallel between different views.
Svitlana Hinotska, PR Manager of the Dairy Alliance Group: What does the term charity mean to you?
In the concept of "charity" I put several meanings, which for me are united by one meaning. First, this concept implies "doing good" (without benefit); secondly, charity is defined as "a very necessary and important matter"; third, charity is an indicator of the level of development of society and the country as a whole; fourth, it is, in fact, our contribution to the development of the country and society. If you have the opportunity to do something good, necessary, useful for someone without any greedy benefit - then you should definitely do it to the best of your success and ability. And if this success gives you the opportunity to choose the scale of assistance you can provide, then here you decide how much you can give. Moreover, it can help not only the needy, but also active people who have the talent and skills,
In your opinion, should a person or organization advertise its charity work, or should it be done anonymously?
There are many opinions as to whether charity PR is needed. Some believe that talking about it is immodest, that it is self-promotion. Others look at this situation from another angle: when a person reports his good deeds, because it can serve as an example for others. And in fact, there is nothing terrible, wrong and shameful that people, the environment will know about it. I believe that if you talk about helping someone, this information can attract more attention from other people who can and want to help. However, at this moment the main thing is not to cross the line and not to confuse advertising with bragging. Helping needy people, and at the same time advertising their activities only for the sake of praise, is at least dishonest. If you say that you have done good, you need to show the real results of this good.
Do you think that people with more financial means should help in the first place, or should everyone do it, regardless of their status and income level?
It seems to me that in charity you can’t divide people into rich and poor at all. After all, when we talk about charity, we are not talking about finances, we are talking about good deeds. This can be physical and financial assistance, which can be provided by completely different people with completely different wealth and opportunities. Agree that sometimes 10 kopecks from a promotional package of milk you buy can save someone’s life.
Maria Artemenko, founder of the Charity Development Center and the Benefactors’ Club: Maria, what does the term charity mean to you?
For me personally, charity is the energy of life. There was a turning point when I realized that we came to this world not so much to consume as to create, to give. I realized that I want to fall asleep every day with the thought that I lived a day, not just so. This plan allows you to implement good deeds. I believe that each of us has a lot of light and opportunities to contribute to the better world we all dream of. This is not about an excess of money and time, it is, first of all, about an open heart.
Do you think a person or organization needs to advertise their charity work or do it anonymously?
We need to talk about positive experiences, as well as negative ones. Positive will inspire people, someone will find themselves in your story, will pay attention, because even a small message can be an inspiration. It is also necessary to talk about experiences and negative experiences. We are used to perceiving mistakes as something critically disgusting. But mistakes are also information that can be useful to others, prevent ineffective actions, or frustrations.
Charity is often in the realm of emotions. I would still advise to separate the ratio from the emotional, to appeal to more practical information, not to critically evaluate the "victory" or "betrayal", there is much between them. Don’t be afraid to include critical thinking. The theory of effective altruism brings us to the need to combine a hot heart with a cold head to make effective decisions in charity. This is the idea we are actively promoting at the Charity Development Center.
Do you think that public people who have more financial opportunities should help in the first place, or should everyone do it regardless of their status and income?
Everyone can help! Good word, services, legal advice, volunteering, financial support, physical strength or personal resources, you can offer anything you want. Main wish! I am very impressed by the example from Italy. It turns out that they have a separate type of volunteering, called "ears". You just come and listen to the person. It is important to find comfortable good deeds that will fill you with energy and joy. I warn you right away! Good deeds have a positive effect on people’s health and happiness. Therefore, if you do not need positive changes in life and well-being, good deeds are not for you.
Oksana Ternova, founder of Dyvo.ua Charitable Foundation: Oksana, what does charity mean to you?
It is difficult for me to answer this question. I had and still have a desire to change the world for the better. At some point I realized that this is not just a desire, but a necessity. Based on this, I decided to create my own charitable foundation.
Is it worth advertising your charity?
Unequivocally, charity must be advertised. Of course, someone from the environment may perceive this negatively - we like to condemn, but not very much. I know people who help in one way or another, but keep quiet about it because "help is needed quietly." Honestly, I’m very embarrassed when I write or talk about the foundation. But this is wrong - three people will be convicted, and one will be motivated to act. And one is more than zero.
Should charity be everyone’s social responsibility?
I believe that no one is obliged, just because they can. This should be on a voluntary basis only. And as for the level of wealth - you can help not only financially. Sometimes it is enough to make a simple repost on social networks - a second of time and for free; instead of buying a purebred pet, pick it up on the street or take it from a shelter. The same blood to go to donate. There are many options. But, I repeat, only sincerely and voluntarily.
Is it possible to instill in people a desire to do charity?
Of course. I am sure that it is possible to develop social projects on the topic of charity for educational institutions. First of all, educational / informative, as well as mini-projects of real help.
Read also: Kirill Sergeev, Anastasia Dyakova and Roman Kholodov - What is charity?