How I became a humanitarian at an early age. Being a part of the bigger picture by way of good causes is so gratifying. As long as I can remember I was always wanting to help others in some way or another. In the mid 1980’s my sister suffered from back issues that required a couple of major surgeries. We traveled to a hospital called Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. from Puerto Rico.
As a young kid not having much to do during our stay at the hospital I was encouraged by hospital staff to sign up to be a Red Cross Volunteer. My job as a volunteer was to assist elderly patients by keeping them company. I would play cards and dominoes with them and I enjoyed it very much. Sometimes I would wheel them around in wheelchairs to get fresh air.
I always want to do the right thing
Growing up I continued being a humanitarian in different ways. In my twenties, I didn’t actively seek ways to help, but I made efforts when I saw opportunities present themselves in organic ways. I have always worn my heart on my sleeve and I can feel others’ pain and suffering, which makes me want to do things for others more and more. You don’t think about it you just do whatever you can to help. Helping others with lifting heavy objects into cars, assisting motorists on the side of the road with dead batteries or flat tires, and anything else that would arise.
I have never wanted anything from helping others with the exception of gratitude. I like to see a sense of relief from people and I love it when people smile afterwards. That part makes me feel really good. Sometimes people are so overwhelmed with joy that they cry, which then makes me tear up as well. I became addicted to being a part of the bigger picture. Also I believe we were all put here on this beautiful planet to help each other along the way. Survival isn’t an easy thing at all so it’s nice to have others help.
Changing times
Our world is changing so much and we are becoming so detached from good connections. We often just keep going on our way without paying attention to whats going on around us. If we aren’t a part of the solution, then we are a part of the problem. This is a big and bold statement, but I really believe that we should all extend a hand. Unfortunately, many just believe that someone else will do it and before you know it no one has stepped up.
In defense of some, I believe it may be due to some bad experiences we have had along the way such as being scammed and watching all the chaos unfold on the news daily. Actually, let’s be real. The negative news flows 24/7 in all areas of our lives, such as social media, our peers and so on. Back in the late 1990’s when I lived in Atlanta, there was a crime ring that was going on in the area that had many scared for their lives.
Sometimes bad people make it difficult to be a humanitarian
There was a group of criminals that would go around the highways and set up a fake automotive breakdown. A lady would stand outside of a car with the hood up and try to get people to stop and help. Once a good samaritan would stop and try to help, two men that were a part of the group would jump out of the woods, assault, rob and carjack people. Over time hearing stories like this, you could easily see how people stop wanting to help.
I myself have had several situations in which I was burned. As I traveled to my job most days I would see a guy standing in the median at traffic lights with a homeless sign. I was doing pretty good for myself so every time I saw him I would give him money. Five, ten, and even twenty dollars at a time. One day an employee of mine rode with me to work. We stopped at a red light and I saw the guy. I was getting my wallet out and as I did my employee said, “You’re not going to give him money, right?”
I told him that I felt bad and would give him some money. He quickly told me not to because he was a thief, then told me to proceed and he would explain. We sat at a parking lot a couple of blocks away to watch the guy for probably about a half-hour. We were early so time wasn’t a big deal. After time passed the guy walked away from the intersection in our direction. He proceeded to go to an alleyway in our view and step into a brand new Lexus. Apparently the guy was doing better than I was
I will always try to help others
That situation left a bad taste in my mouth and from then moving forward each homeless person I encountered asking for money made me think back. I never gave money to a homeless person again. Are all situations like mine? Absolutely not, but I didn’t want to get taken again. It took some time to recover and feel like I could help others again as you could imagine.
Nowadays as a humanitarian, I do different things to help. I created a food donation program at my youngest daughter’s elementary school. At lunchtime, the kids would throw away a lot of uneaten food which was very sad to see. The school system makes all kids take fruit with their lunch, but many don’t eat them so they end up in the trash. Some of the fruits are in sealed packages. The principal of the school let me put two bins one on each side of the lunchroom to collect the unwanted sealed foods every day.
Doing our part
Additionally, the kids can donate whole uneaten fruits and other types of sealed foods as well. I take those donations a couple of times per week to a non-profit food center that distributes food to needy families in three cities. I would prefer that the kids eat their fruits, but if they don’t then let’s not throw it away. The program is doing very well and it contributes to approximately 80 meals per month! My life’s purpose has always been helping others.
I am looking forward to helping others in more impactful ways and wanting to inspire them to do the same. Being a good role model for my kids is so very important to me and hopefully, they will follow suit.
My next project is a kids first skateboard donation program for kids that can’t afford them!
Conclusion
Being a part of your community, the environment, and the world feels so very rewarding. I believe this is the reason we are here. Over time some places seemed to have become divided. Despite this, there are a lot of regions in the world where communities continuously help each other to live, grow, and thrive. It is a way of life and not a thought that pops up.
