"Every human being has the need TO GIVE" wrote Mr. Bill Kliewer, former Executive Director of World Vision Philippines in the early 80's. He scribbled this note on a tiny piece of paper "To: Mariejo, develop a speech and lecture for me in the following months. We are launching World Vision fundraising campaign.
In the 70's and 80's Philippines was a "receiver" a "beneficiary" to the generosity of four Support Countries, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The first two Asian countries that followed suit was Hong Kong and Taiwan. They were generating some funds, at the same time doing sponsorship program with contributions coming from other Support Countries.
"Is this really true", I questioned this awesome dynamic golden-haired American director? It sounded to me like it is some kind of a fiction. I think of people as "takers" but not "givers". "What a monumental task it will be for World Vision to convert Filipinos to become givers," I thought to myself? Unfortunately, he did not explain farther but made emphatic statement that the organization's belief hangs on this truth, with it thousands upon thousands of good-hearted people give to World Vision. "Take it as that and develop our material around it" he says. What truth, where did this come from?
True enough, when we started our efforts during early 80's, World Vision was sending money, goods, and thousands of dollars into the Philippine program. Over a period of 30 years, today, World Vision Philippines has more than 30,000 sponsored children supported by Filipinos! And as I understand it from my friend Mac Bradshaw, the Spiritual Director of World Vision Philippines, "the sponsorship is growing rapidly!
"'The need to give' is in each of us!" I began to explore this truth years back only as a theme for our fundraising campaign in World Vision as I was with this organization for ten years as Communication Manager. But as time went by, as I began to observe people, including myself, it is in man's nature to give. And those among us who are givers, gain more, are happier than the takers. Even I have the need to share of my talents even for free. I am driven by a desire to share information about the suffering people with the hope that I can awaken the "need" of others to give.
I was fortunate in my life, I was in a position where I brush shoulders and sit side-by-side people who are givers! It was my job after all. It never stops to amaze me to see that deep inner joy on the faces of those who are giving. Indeed, there is great satisfaction and fulfillment that we receive when we give.
Today, this truth is now fully grown in me. I too carry a "crusade of giving" from a slightly different standpoint. It is from the position of a business woman. After ten years in World Vision Philippines, the Lord changed the direction of my life. Together with my husband Norman, I became an entrepreneur, a business person. It is far from my dream to be one. But was the only that we could help more people. We seem to have the ability and the talent to do something others cannot. Do legitimate business, make money, and give to others in need.
That one truth lead to another. I began to see something that thrills me. I realize too that when people's need to give is awaken or re-awaken, soon another matter arises - the need to be empowered, to be better rather than to stay pressed down.
And when one is poor and you teach them to become givers, they also get empowered and begin to see more meaning and value in them as individuals. A new process in life begins to grow inside them. It fuels their desire to go on with life. Nobody wants to be in this place except for a purpose or for a reason greater than ourselves (as Jesus did or Mohammad Gandhi or Mother Theresa of Calcutta).
Giving puts us on a different plane altogether! And as I continued to ponder upon this truth, I encountered the word that I began to hold dearly, the word EMPOWER.
Friends, I encourage you, "Trust and let go". Give and satisfy that need inside you to give of yourself and your resources and be be empowered. Give and I promise you as God promised, "give and it shall be given unto you". Be empowered by empowering others!
If you like the article, please contribute or comment or send email to marjbenares@yahoo.com or marjbenares@gmail.com or contact +639228179925. Financial support in cash or kind send to BMJ or Business and Ministry for Jesus has several help programs that empower children, youth, working mothers, through various programs, particularly training, forums, empowering and transformational session that require funding and help in the development of mind and heart. Please extend help and send funds to BMJ Enterprises, MetroBank Philippines or Mariejo Benares 007-167-51649-8 current account.
"Is this really true", I questioned this awesome dynamic golden-haired American director? It sounded to me like it is some kind of a fiction. I think of people as "takers" but not "givers". "What a monumental task it will be for World Vision to convert Filipinos to become givers," I thought to myself? Unfortunately, he did not explain farther but made emphatic statement that the organization's belief hangs on this truth, with it thousands upon thousands of good-hearted people give to World Vision. "Take it as that and develop our material around it" he says. What truth, where did this come from? True enough, when we started our efforts during early 80's, World Vision was sending money, goods, and thousands of dollars into the Philippine program. Over a period of 30 years, today, World Vision Philippines has more than 30,000 sponsored children supported by Filipinos! And as I understand it from my friend Mac Bradshaw, the Spiritual Director of World Vision Philippines, "the sponsorship is growing rapidly!
"'The need to give' is in each of us!" I began to explore this truth years back only as a theme for our fundraising campaign in World Vision as I was with this organization for ten years as Communication Manager. But as time went by, as I began to observe people, including myself, it is in man's nature to give. And those among us who are givers, gain more, are happier than the takers. Even I have the need to share of my talents even for free. I am driven by a desire to share information about the suffering people with the hope that I can awaken the "need" of others to give.
I was fortunate in my life, I was in a position where I brush shoulders and sit side-by-side people who are givers! It was my job after all. It never stops to amaze me to see that deep inner joy on the faces of those who are giving. Indeed, there is great satisfaction and fulfillment that we receive when we give.
Today, this truth is now fully grown in me. I too carry a "crusade of giving" from a slightly different standpoint. It is from the position of a business woman. After ten years in World Vision Philippines, the Lord changed the direction of my life. Together with my husband Norman, I became an entrepreneur, a business person. It is far from my dream to be one. But was the only that we could help more people. We seem to have the ability and the talent to do something others cannot. Do legitimate business, make money, and give to others in need.
That one truth lead to another. I began to see something that thrills me. I realize too that when people's need to give is awaken or re-awaken, soon another matter arises - the need to be empowered, to be better rather than to stay pressed down.
And when one is poor and you teach them to become givers, they also get empowered and begin to see more meaning and value in them as individuals. A new process in life begins to grow inside them. It fuels their desire to go on with life. Nobody wants to be in this place except for a purpose or for a reason greater than ourselves (as Jesus did or Mohammad Gandhi or Mother Theresa of Calcutta).
Giving puts us on a different plane altogether! And as I continued to ponder upon this truth, I encountered the word that I began to hold dearly, the word EMPOWER.
Friends, I encourage you, "Trust and let go". Give and satisfy that need inside you to give of yourself and your resources and be be empowered. Give and I promise you as God promised, "give and it shall be given unto you". Be empowered by empowering others!If you like the article, please contribute or comment or send email to marjbenares@yahoo.com or marjbenares@gmail.com or contact +639228179925. Financial support in cash or kind send to BMJ or Business and Ministry for Jesus has several help programs that empower children, youth, working mothers, through various programs, particularly training, forums, empowering and transformational session that require funding and help in the development of mind and heart. Please extend help and send funds to BMJ Enterprises, MetroBank Philippines or Mariejo Benares 007-167-51649-8 current account.
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