Charitable acts. Loh #169.

"Charity begins at home", that was what I was taught while growing up. Needless to say, more of this ideaology was inculcated in me via school and religious teachings. Later on, it developed from just ideaology to becoming a culture that I take great pleasure in.

This is why I'm so happy to be sharing my thoughts on the second question on this week's #ladiesofhive prompt that states..

Charitable giving is a normal part of my budget. It is not always cash donations but it can be other resources like your time and talents as well. Name your favorite Charity and what makes it special to you?

I am one person who loves to see everyone happy around me. If I have food to eat and someone comes with a feeling of hunger pangs, without a means of getting food, I can happily hand over my food without so much as a second thought to my own welfare.

Charitable giving can come in various forms. It is and should not be closed off to giving of alms, clothes, and other material resources alone. Using one's talent to help others can also be considered as forms of charitable giving.

Amongst all the forms of charitable giving, my favorite form is giving of material resources like food stuffs, clothes, toiletries and other household essentials.

You might be wondering why I did not include cash. Well the thing is, I have been duped out of my money more times than I can count. On one occasion, a young man came to meet me while I was having lunch at a restaurant alone. He told me his plight of being in need and pleaded with me to assist him with money to buy food.

I took compassion on him, gave him some cash and he left. As I was walking out of the restaurant after a while, I saw this same young man drinking beer and smoking Indian hemp just across the road. I was speechless and hurt as well. I gave him money for food but look what he did.

This is one of many experiences that has made me extremely cautious in handing out cash as a form if charity. Now, what I do is to buy the item that the person in need is requesting for. If one needs food, I'd rather buy it and give it to that person than hand over cash.

There is an orphanage home around my community that I visit regularly with food stuffs and material items. The smiles on the faces of these kids as they each receive their gift packs is enough reward for me.

Moreso, I sold this idea to my department in church and they all agreed to also do same. Last year, we visited the orphanage twice with food items. This year plans are already underway to visit the orphanage home with food stuffs before Easter.

Helping out those in need with the little I have and being able to share with the less privileged brings me immense joy. I don't see myself derailing from this path as long as breadth is in me.

It's more blessed to give than to receive.

Indeed, the above is filled with truths.

Thank you all for reading.

All images used are mine.