Philanthropy is the practice of giving money and time to help make life better for other people.
As a young child, around the age of seven or eight, I remember my father taking me to work at the famous hamburger van during fairs and local events in Nassau. At that time, I didn't understand what I was doing. I just knew it was a lot of fun and it gave me a sense of accomplishment. My job was to collect the money and give out tickets.
Today, I understand that my father was taking me along with him to help with a Rotary Club of East Nassau (RCEN) event. RCEN is one of several clubs in The Bahamas and a part of Rotary International -- a civic organization throughout the world comprised of 1.2 million members and counting. Rotary is just one of many ways people choose to give back, to help and make a difference in other people's lives.
As our children grow, it is imperative for them to learn the importance of helping others. Even in primary school, teachers teach our kids to share and help each other. I believe it is vital to human existence. If we lived in a world where people cared only about themselves, we would surely become extinct. It is a part of human nature at its core to help each other and necessary to our survival as a species.
Unfortunately, there are a number of people that see the world for what it can give them, rather than what they can do for the world. But if you look back at some of the most significant people in our world, you can see that the morals of their stories are synonymous. Yes, they may have had different causes, but it is the human cause that relates them. Take Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, Thich Nhat Hanh, Maya Angelou and Oprah Winfrey, they all have causes and aspire to give back to humankind in the best ways.
Children respond to giving back and helping others. Whether it is helping unfamiliar people, their family members or animals, they want to help and do good by nature. As parents, it is important to encourage and foster that giving effect in your children.
We need children to grow to become adults that have an interest in giving back and helping humanity. The world has known some great human beings that have defied the status quo and made a path for righteousness. We need the generations to come to be inspired and empowered to be the next generation of leaders, helpers and philanthropists.
Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, believed that it was the person who thought they were crazy enough to actually change the world that did. He happened to be one of them. He inspired many young people and continues to inspire them through his legacy. Warren Buffet can be recognized as one of the greatest investors of our time. He is a philanthropist that has decided to leave 99 percent of his worth to charity. Bill and Melinda Gates are also famous philanthropists that constantly give back through their foundation to help others.
What will your legacy be? What will your children's legacies be? Are you doing what you can to foster the giving effect in your children, the future leaders of the world? Do you show your kids how to help others and to give back? The reality is that words are not enough. Your children will follow your example more than they will follow your words. I followed by example and joined the Rotary Club, like my father, in my 20s. My children will understand what it means to help others because they have an example to follow. It is as simple as that. Teach your children by example. If you have not found an organization to be a part of, there are many in New Providence -- Rotary, The Zonta Club and local charities, like The Meah Foundation and the Ranfurly Homes for Children, are good ways to start. You don't have to join a club to give back. It can be as simple as doing something good for someone else. Maya Angelou always said, "When you get, give. When you learn, teach". What a beautiful legacy she left the world. Be inspired.
Love and hugs!
Sources: http://www.merriam-webster.com, http://www.today.com/health/how-one-girls-lemonade-stand-has-raised-80-million-changed-2D79767939, http://www.buzzfeed.com/nakedjuice/incredible-charities-started-by-children?b=1, https://www.rotary.org/en
o Bianca Carter is a certified lactation counselor (CLC), and founder of Bun in the Oven. For more information, give us a call at 601-6977 or visit us at the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza, next to Starbucks. Follow us on facebook at babybunintheoven, email us at info@babybunintheoven.com, visit us at www.babybunintheoven.com.

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