First Word 46

Let us teach kids how to give

The horrific scene, a couple of months ago, of two kids suckling their dead mother in Turkana in Kenya was heartbreaking. As a result, the nation was so moved that a rallying call raised more than half a billion Kenya shillings to assist families ravaged by drought and hunger in the district and other areas in the country. Such was the equally moving success of the noble Kenyans for Kenya initiative.

As a parent, it is hard to imagine outliving your kids. And the subject of death is difficult to explain to the young ones. While it is part of life, perhaps it is better to nurture a giving heart in kids as it brings purpose.

There is no better time to develop generosity in kids than in their formative years. Dark times call for the community to come together to cushion those particularly affected by destitution in life. In the case of hunger, teach kids to recognise their privilege, avoid wastage and to give to the less fortunate.

Some schools have volunteer programmes where kids are asked to bring clothes, foodstuffs and other gifts to give to needy people in care homes. This is a good tradition as it makes the school more than just a place of academics, but a centre of real life learning. Nothing refreshes the soul more than giving and children should be taught this virtue.

There are indirect ways of nurturing giving in kids; like inviting other kids to their birthday party. It is said that ‘charity begins at home’. Encourage a child to give his or her sibling clothes or shoes he or she does not wear. If you are pregnant and have other children, prepare them to give to the newborn child things they used when they were infants and no longer need. Likewise, show them the value of sacrifice by giving to them things they view as precious – and make them realise that they are not just ‘taking’ by right, but ‘receiving’ from a caring parent who has decided to ‘give’.

Children need to learn early that they have the capacity to touch other peoples lives in a positive way – by giving.

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