I never give financial aid to people (principle). I usually buy food and stuff, find someone who needs it the most, and give it away (usually beggars, or old people who try selling crap to make a buck or two). I actually prefer sitting next to them for a few minutes and observe the world from that angle (how people are too busy to care).
I decided that what I do changes nothing (so many people, and just help one!?), so thought I could buy lots of fruits and go give them to the city’s orphanage personally, and maybe even make an article out of it so people can see how easy it is to help even if you’re alone.
Last month I decided that all that’s left of my salary will be used for charity at the end of the month. Turned out I planned my finances bad (didn’t get my salary to be precise). I wasn’t so much angry about not getting paid, as much as not being able to achieve my goal. Then the lady from my story below came and proved me wrong.
One most unpleasant Thursday…
There was a beggar lying down against the wall of a local fast-food where I hoped for a snack (a poor, yet clean & simple dressed woman to be precise).
I asked her to escort me to a table so I could buy us something to eat (I was starving). From her answer I understood that she was to ashamed to enter, although from the look on her face she really needed a hot meal.
Hey, only gave $4…
The woman was surprised I came back. Instead of starting to eat, she thanked me, put the food aside, and told me something I’ll never forget. I can’t tell you all she said, but it goes something like this…
… things you buy with money will be taken away. Collect stuff that can never be sold, and you’ll always be rich.
I think she met “do good”, as that’s what really matters in the end.
I cannot say I made a huge charity. But hey, everything is relative… I may not have fed a thousand orphans today, but I definitely changed something for that one lady. Maybe not that much physically, but I proved her that there are still people who care (hope). I’m sure one day it will all return to me, maybe next time I’ll be the one in need, and she will not pass by. It took $4 to make my day worth, and make someone happy.
