There is no bigger act than charity. The beautiful thing is that charity can take many other forms other than money. For example, an act of kindness or volunteering your time is also a charity.
Your children can start volunteering from a very young age. It will make them appreciate their privileges, teach them compassion and build their character. It will also make them believe in humanity.
Here are a few ways to encourage your child to volunteer:
NGO Visits
Plan a visit to an orphanage or old age home every month or so. Involve your children in cooking food for them, spending time with them, reading to them or helping them in any other way.
Community Celebrations
Many communities or housing societies organise festival celebrations and events around the year. They need volunteers to give them a helping hand in organising various activities. Your children join them.
School or Office Philanthropy Programmes
Several schools and offices have tie-ups with charitable organisations for volunteering. Check with your office or children’s schools if they undertake such initiatives. If yes, your children can be part of the volunteering group.
Animal Shelters
If your children are animal lovers, they wouldn’t mind dedicating a few hours to animal shelters and rescue organisations. These organisations usually allow you to play with the animals, bathe them, feed them, etc. Spending time with animals can also be a great stress-buster for your children.
Donation Drive
Your children can start a donation drive in your residential building or school. They can collect food, toys, clothes, stationery, blankets, etc. and donate to needy children.
Cleanliness Drive
PM Narendra Modi has been advocating ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ for several years. How about your children pick up their brooms, dustpans and dusting clothes to take this mission forward? They can clean the housing premises, parks, beaches or even streets.
Tutoring
If you have teen children or young adults at home, they can tutor underprivileged children for free. They can teach the children of maids or watchmen at home. They can also set up classes in the society clubhouse or other safe premises.
Walk for a Cause
This is also a wonderful way for your children to volunteer. They can do fundraising walks to pool money for an NGO. They also create awareness walks to spread a message about some disease or environmental cause.
Did you like these ideas? Join your children in volunteering and lead by example!
