Giving is Beneficial

Extending our arms to those in need without waiting for something in return is a fulfilling in-depth appreciation to serve our fellowmen. Giving denotes not only through financial means but it also entails the giving of support packages, specially to the children in public schools (e.g. school facilities, learning support, health and nutrition, reading program, technology support, direct assistance, training and development and assistive learning devices). Giving to those in need is beneficial, in such a way that it impels joy to those doing volunteer work.

Giving is good for physical health as studied by the Giving USA Foundation of United States of America. The study also reveals that volunteering to charitable works can increase self-esteem, with volunteers reporting both greater personal empowerment and better health. Doing for others may stimulate the release of endorphin hormones, which has been linked to improved nervous and immune system functions.

Helping others can help take off your own problems and enable you to see the bigger picture. Once you see the difference you can make in another person’s life, your own problems can seem smaller and more manageable.

These are the reasons why giving is beneficial (Beattie, L.,2008):

Develop and grow as a person – Volunteering is an excellent way to explore your likes and dislikes.

Know that you are needed – Feeling needed and appreciated are important. When you volunteer, you realize just how much you are truly needed.

Make social connections – Volunteering can alleviate the sense of social isolation and help fill empty hours.

Develop new skills – Giving others time bring interesting and challenging opportunities that might not come along otherwise.

Boost your self-esteem – Helping others makes you feel good, because you are doing something for someone.

Give back to your community – Doing something for the community you live in and returning the favor to those who have helped you are strong motivators.

Nowadays, poverty is most obvious in the life of every Filipino, many families experienced hardships in filling their basic needs but each of us has the capacity to give even in the little way we can. The act of giving nurtures the psychological aspect of life, thus, giving is an endeavor which rich or poor individuals should engage.

By: MARSFIFTH M. MAMAWAG
      Education Program Specialist II