On September the 5th we celebrate the International Day of Charity. The International Day of Charity was established with the objective of putting an end to global poverty. The intent is to mobilize people, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and stakeholders all around the world to help others through volunteer and philanthropic activities. Let’s see what this is all about.
The Current Situation
Ending poverty is a noble goal and one that has been very elusive to date. In a report from March 2024, it was estimated that 712 million people live below the international poverty line of $2.15/day. This is a staggering statistic. In addition, the poorest nations are not only undernourished, but lack basic services:
- Electricity
- Safe Drinking Water
- Less education
- As a result they tend to be in poorer health
Think about living on $2.15 per day.
On the other hand, in the US, it’s impossible to live on that level. In the US as of 2022, you are considered to be living in poverty if your earnings are $27,750 annually for a family of 4. As you would expect, with today’s economy we are seeing more and more people below the poverty line in the US.
This is a growing global problem. The United Nations (UN) established the International Day of Charity to bring awareness to the poverty problem. The September 5th date was selected to commemorate the anniversary of the passing of St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa). St. Teresa was the founder of the Missionaries of Charity, and is well known for her work with the poor in Calcutta. September 5th is her feast day in the Calendar of Saints.
How Can You Help Support Those in Poverty?
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) participate in celebrating International Day of Charity in the following ways:
- Identify Needs
To help identify the most urgent needs and difficulties, NGOs carry out research and interact with communities. - Organize Programs
They create and conduct programs to deal with difficulties that have been discovered and to offer assistance where it is most needed. - Fundraising
NGOs raise money to support their projects through partnerships, grants, and donations. - Advocacy
They push for legislative changes and bring attention to important problems that disadvantaged groups face. - Monitor and Analyze
Nonprofits analyze the results of their initiatives and make necessary modifications to increase their effectiveness.
How you can help:
- Donate
You can give money to an organization or charity that shares your values. - Volunteer
You can provide your time and expertise to neighborhood initiatives or charities in your area. - Raise Awareness
You can help inform people about charity issues and inspire them to become engaged by using social media channels. - Participate in Events
You can take part in or plan occasions like awareness campaigns, fundraisers, and charity runs. - Encourage Local Initiatives
You can get involved with and lend support to neighborhood associations and nonprofits.
God’s Charge to Us
Jesus was always focused on helping the poor throughout His ministry and we must be focused as well. An article from BibleStudyTools.com sums it up best:
The poor are near and dear to God’s heart. How we treat the impoverished is a major concern throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. You simply cannot have the gospel of Jesus and neglect the call to care for impoverished, marginalized, and outcast — those on the underside of power.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.”
What do you do to take care of the poor? Can you share your experiences? Comments are welcome and encouraged.
God Bless
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