The International Day of Charity was established with the aim of encouraging and inspiring people all around the world to help others through humanitarian and volunteering activities.
The 5th of September was chosen by the UN as the International Day of the Charity to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She was a missionary and nun, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 “for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace.”
Charity, like volunteering and philanthropy, can promote social cohesion and help to make more inclusive and resilient societies. and plays a vital role in working towards our desire for global change.
Friends of Buburi has been working as a charity since 2005 and whilst we fund the running of the healthcare clinic at Buburi, we’re keenly aware of the impact this facility has on the wider community, not only in terms of health. It provides a place of employment for many people and therefore supports dozens of family members, it’s a community hub where people can meet and learn and importantly it’s become a vital resource, a focus around which local people support and rally to ensure its long term future.
So from the fairly simple initial desire to supplement poor public healthcare has grown a facility that’s so much more than a just health clinic and is vital to the growth and development of the local community.
On this special day, we’d like to recognise and celebrate all charitable activities, no matter how small, that are helping communities and societies become stronger, independent and sustainable.