It's good to give

“No one has ever become poor by giving.”

This statement becomes more profound when we realise it was uttered by a young Jewish woman, Anne Frank who died in a Nazi concentration camp. When we think of being generous we often think of the personal cost of our giving, how much we may lose in the process of giving something away.

South Africans, through our practice of ubuntu, have long been known as people with a spirit of generosity. And some of our wealthiest citizens rank highly on the culture of philanthropy index (giving money to charity). But in 2012 we only ranked 70th on the world giving index. What has changed?

Has the global recession affected our giving? And is generosity only determined by the amount of money we give or are there other ways to be generous?

A research report recently proved there is a link between being generous and our levels of happiness. Giving clearly makes us feel good. So what’s stopping us from giving more?

Welcome to week 6 of the HEARTLINES Values & Money campaign. This week we focus on the money value generosity in giving.

Generosity offers us a unique way to overcome the negative effects of apartheid through restoring relationships or building new ones. Whether it’s extending forgiveness, paying for the education of a child or being willing to share our wealth with those struggling financially, we can see the power of generosity to rebuild our nation.

Due to the global economic recession, many of us have found it tougher to give. But our giving, be it money, time, goods, skills, friendship - no matter how small - can make a lasting impact that empowers and improves the lives of others.

How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment. We can start now, start slowly, changing the world. How lovely that everyone, great and small, can make a contribution toward introducing justice straightaway. And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness! - Anne Frank

Week 6 of the HEARTLINES Values & Money campaign. Generosity in giving.

Join the conversation. Live the values.

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