Give To Get - it's nothing new.

[SeanA]

My 6 World Vision kids keep me grounded.
They make me realise I am useful.
Each letter I open shows me I am valuable.
Each picture reminds me I make a difference.

I also advertise the difference I am making by telling my clients that they are making a difference every time they pay me.
Here is the last letter:
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This is Amily Sun. She is one of six World Vision kids that we have in our martial arts school.
Firstly, please tell your kids that your family helps pay for her education and some medical supplies. Just by mentioning this and showing the photo, it will plant a seed that ensures everyone helps everyone else. It also reminds kids how lucky they are to live in the best corner of the best state of the best country in the world.

Now, I post this for a few reasons.
Mainly, I believe in altruism and want to show the young members of MRMA that that is what our duty is. I chose World Vision because we can put a face to our contribution. It hits home for us.
I could have chosen an organisation where more of the money goes direct to the person that needs it. (82% of World Vision fees go direct to the person in need.)
But everyone knows World Vision and the reporting process. Photos that are sent and personal notes mean there is a connection made. Your money doesn’t just seem to disappear into a black hole every month.

My second reason is a personal one.
I read a book about The Killing Fields. The author is the same age as me. When he was 15, Cambodia was embroiled in a war where huge numbers of people were slaughtered. The author’s teenage years were spent witnessing bloodshed that is the stuff of nightmares.
As I read the book, I realised that at the same time, I was in Years 10, 11 and 12.
At that age, my main focus was on doing the minimum amount of schoolwork, surfing, and the opposite sex. This realisation and subsequent embarrassment moved me to do something for those less fortunate. Maybe 40 years too late but I was unconsciously incompetent at the time.
I have told this story many times to the kids in the martial arts school in the hope that, by example, they will realise that it is their civic duty to do what they can.

I implore you to show your child the picture and explain how we are helping her.

Sean Allen
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So, that’s it.
Simple acts repeated add up.
Read that again. It works in all areas of life. Positive or negative.

[JessF]

Hello Sean, it's wonderful to know we can make a difference isn't it? So much despair comes from thinking we have no control over our lives, and no power to change things. I think being 'unconsciously incompetent' can happen at any age. But once you start to see the power of simple acts, the impact of all of them together can be life changing. Thank you for sharing this.

[Croix]

Dear SeanA~

I've nothing special or deep to say, I just wanted to thank you for not only this, but also all the other posts you have made, from elephants to photographs to wolves to dark days to ... civic duty

They all give me something to ponder on, not a quick think, but ideas that can come back later when there is time to reflect. I must say I tend to agree in each case. (With this post I can say my wife and I also have sponsored successive children for a lot of years)

In some ways your approach reminds me of another poster Whiteknight. I enjoys Tony's 'think pieces' for much the same reasons.

So thank you, I hope when you write it is because you are in a good place.

Croix