The International Day of Charity, which is being celebrated today, the 5th of September, invites us to a practice: “prepare our heart to serve a fellow being.” This article gives examples of the practical experience of charity in the Roraima Humanitarian Mission. Follow us!
Recently, on celebrating the International Day of Charity, the United Nations – UN affirmed that charity helps societies to be more inclusive and resilient, and can alleviate the worst effects of humanitarian crises.
The date was established as a way to honor the winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who died on September 5, 1997.
In this year 2021, with the worsening of the humanitarian crisis, there is a growing need for strengthening the initiatives for the fraternal assistance to affected populations, not only as a way of alleviating suffering, but also with the awareness that charitable service sows peace.
But… how does one live in a more inclusive society? How does one live for the common good so that peace may be established on the whole planet?
The eternal teaching
Since the teaching “Love one another” was proclaimed, humanity has received the opportunity to grow in its awareness of love and peace.
In the book “New Times, New Attitude,” by Trigueirinho, there is a whole chapter dedicated to broadening the understanding of the energy of charity. “Through charity we share with the person the situation they are in, and in some way, we give them relief,” says Trigueirinho.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta taught: “Charity, a mystery of Unity, cannot be taught, but rather practiced and lived.”
Also in the teaching is that: “Living in charity is to prepare your heart to serve others.”
It sounds simple, but… how to put it into practice?
The daily commitment to charity
Charity is revealed in the task itself, in the daily challenge of being with another. It is like an energy that envelopes you, guides you and drives you.”
This phrase is from Maria Laura Meradi, Camp Coordination assistant in the Pintolândia Shelter, managed by the Fraternity – International Humanitarian Federation (FIHF) in Roraima.
For her, having worked in the Missions since 2019, “it is not the performance in the mission that includes the charity, but rather it is charity that embraces us like a wise and loving energy, and each day, further places us on the path of selflessness.”
In the sorrows of the refugees, through often devastating images, Laura sees a call to serve: “Charity is like a mother that calls us to take action, gives us encouragement, hope and the energy to be present with all our being in the face of each need.”
And she recognizes that the lessons learned are constant for one ready to serve. “As the need emerges and one responds to it, charity envelopes you and teaches you to give more of yourself each day, without questioning, without asking for explanations nor anything in exchange. It pulls us out of indifference,” she says.
With the energy of charity experienced in daily life, in contact with more than 600 indigenous Warao in the Pintolândia Shelter, the humanitarian assistant says: “What charity reminds us of, and notes in us, is the Awareness of Universal Brotherhood. There would be no humanitarian crisis if humanity truly practiced fraternity.”
Expanding the Service to Others
There are many initiatives and offerings that the Humanitarian Fraternity (FIHF), as well as its affiliates, have been carrying out with the aim of expanding its operations throughout the world, participating in conferences, opening a new headquarters, intensifying the work, training and studies, which enable and offer service and learning opportunities for all who feel encouraged to work in the building of a more fraternal world.
