I have been collecting charitable initiatives to do with our children and wanted to share them with you. It is true that they don't have to be done at Christmas; any time of year is good for giving solidarity in the form of collaboration or donation, but at this time of year, more initiatives of this type always arise, and perhaps it is a good time to start instilling in them our "spirit of solidarity."
Here are some ideas to do with them:
1. It's a good time to donate those toys, clothes, or books that are in good condition but no longer used, so another child can enjoy them. It's important for the child to become aware that not all children have everything they need. Having them choose the toys, books, or clothes they will donate will make it easier for them to part with those items. Cruz Roja (Red Cross) usually has a program for collecting toys, and each city also has collection points, with some schools starting to do this as well.
2. You can also sponsor a child. Ayuda en Acción is one of the NGOs that allows you to do so with a donation starting from 18 euros per month. Sponsorship will allow us to build a friendship with a group of children who need our help, get closer to a different reality, stay in touch with another culture, and receive letters from a child explaining their daily life and how things are changing thanks to our contribution. It is also a beautiful way to transmit these values to our children and to open their minds.
3. The Fundación Crecer Jugando (Growing by Playing Foundation), which advocates for children's right to play, organizes the " A Toy, A Dream" campaign every year; I'm sure many of you have heard of it. We can have the child take money from their piggy bank (5 euros) to buy the charity pen, for example. We usually do this every Christmas. This way, we involve the child.
4. We can also cook something with our children and take it to the Cocina Económica (Soup Kitchen) with them, for people in need.
5. Recycle the caps from the containers we use at home. It costs nothing to have a bag at home for the caps from containers we're going to throw away. More and more parents need to collect tons of caps to help their child. It's important to tell the child the story so they understand the reality of other children and to remind them that every time we put a cap in the bag, we're doing something important for someone who needs it. You'll see how quickly your child reminds you to save the cap.
6. Collaborate in the "kilo operation" for food banks. It is true that in the current pandemic situation, there are no volunteers like in previous years collecting food in supermarkets. However, if we go to the supermarket with the child, we can always explain the initiative and contribute a monetary donation that will still reach many families in need in the form of food.
7. Did you know that Unicef has a selection of Christmas cards? They can be printed cards starting from 1.10 euros and even digital cards for companies to send holiday greetings to their employees starting from 350 euros. With them, we will be helping children who greatly need it.
8. Through the Educo website, we can also make donations for lunch scholarships and even purchase real gifts (50 meals for children from vulnerable families for 12.5 euros, 100 lunches from 25 euros, 140 meals for 35 euros... these are just a few examples of the many solidarity actions we can undertake). We can do this with our children through their website and explain to them where our money is going.
9. Pills against the pain of others, an initiative by Doctors Without Borders to provide medication to sick people without resources. You can find them in many pharmacies, and similarly, we can explain the objective to the children and have them occasionally take money from their piggy bank to buy them when we go to the pharmacy.
10. Juegaterapia has also created some fantastic hairless dolls so that when our children play with them, they remember children who are sick. They are sold in Juguettos, El Corte Inglés, and you can even find them on Amazon. The best part is that their proceeds go ENTIRELY to helping children with cancer.
I have given you examples of some initiatives that I found interesting to do with children, but there are many more in which we can collaborate locally. In every city or town, there are organizations, associations, etc., in which we can get involved. And it doesn't always have to be with money; it can also be with our time and collaboration :)
Finally, just a few notes:
- It's important that we share the story behind our action with the child, so they know why we are doing it and what the objective is... this will motivate them and make them feel part of something important.
- Teach by our daily example. There's no point in doing a one-off action at Christmas if we ignore the problems of the person next to us for the rest of the year. Our attitude, our feelings, our way of being in the world will be what sticks with the child.
- It's important to talk with the child about what's happening in the world; any excuse is good to do so and to make them aware of other realities (news, a problem of a family member, friend, or neighbor, etc.).
- Always involve the child as much as possible. Don't let them be mere spectators; instead, make them feel part of the process, of the donation, of the gift, etc... and make them discover the satisfaction of being able to help another person.
What other charitable initiatives do you know of to do with our children?
I'm eager to hear your suggestions ;)
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