Maybe 9 or 10 years ago I donated regularly to charities. For awhile. I set it up so the charities deducted from $10-$40 each month from my checking account. One was Make-A-Wish, one was St. Jude’s Children’s hospital and the last was called the Christain Children’s Fund.
The Children’s Fund had a good set up. They worked in countries all over the world and they arranged for kids and their families in poor countries to have a sponsor (me) to donate money. It was more than just the money, we corresponded by mail and it was a little cute girl and her mom and dad and brother. They were in The Honduras and they survived by farming a tiny plot of land and selling a little of what they grew and also the $40.00 I sent each month.
They lived in a two room shack and they were unfortunately poor and really struggling just to feed and clothe themselves and keep the little girl in school. So they were extremely grateful for my help and sent me a letter each month without fail thanking me and telling me that my donation bought a little food or a dress for the child to go to school in and a few pencils and paper. They were very humble and always asked about how I was doing and gave me the latest news.
Sometimes they sent photographs and they looked like a nice respectable family even though their life was hard. I did this for awhile and it felt good. Sometimes I sent them extra money because I was doing well with money at the time. Once I sent them a hundred dollars extra and they bought a bed and a few other things. Well, I did this for a year but it was heartbreaking when I couldn’t afford it anymore so I sent them a letter apologizing and explaining the situation. I felt bad for awhile but I had no money. There was nothing more I could do.
But for a year this struggling paranoid schizophrenic made a difference in someone life. I know some people would look at it like it was just cold impersonal money and that it wasn’t really helping but I know I made a difference. So see? I helped someone worse off than myself. We sometimes think we are maybe pretty low on the totem pole and nobody needs us. But there is always someone worse of than you who you can help. We aren’t useless. If you can help people, than it’s great If you can’t help someone that’s just the way it is. But one of us (and who knows how many more. Probably many, many more) represents schizophrenia in a good light. Amen.
Good on ya we can all make a difference i personally donate to 3 different charities per month WWF,Water Aid + War Child via Direct Debit.Iam also a member of various organisations,activist,campaigner and volounteer.I believe we can all make a difference to people worse off than ourselves.
That is awesome that you could help that family!!
I have never been able to donate money to people.
Before i got sick, i volunteered as an emt on an ambulance. It was very satisfying to help sick people. I can no longer due this though.
Mostly I get exposed to people worse off than me (with schizophrenia) by television. Much of the world has severe poverty. There are disasters and terrorism, and crimes such as shootings. I also recognize illnesses that are worse, such as the pain and suffering from cancer. So I recognize these sorts of problems and it is nice to hear your compassion.
I have noticed several very kind people here and I admire them.
I have been thinking a lot about love today. I do need to love myself just as I love my friends and others.
I realized about a week ago that I was feeling alienated from the world because I didn’t love myself enough. So your post is timely. I now try to love myself.
I think it can get out of balance loving others and neglecting my own needs. I find sometimes I must say no to some people when I cannot meet all of their needs. There are many needy people.
If you give up all of your self that is not really good love.
That’s why they say, “Love thy neighbor as thy self.”
