It is the season of giving.
We are at the very beginning of the holiday season, which means that we can expect greater involvement of citizens in various charity events. On the eve of the December wave of charity activism, Slobodna Dalmacija talked with representatives of two humanitarian organization from Split, associations MI and MoST, which are trying to help marginalized social groups in numerous ways through the entire year, reports Slobodna Dalmacija on December 6, 2015.
Tanja Tešija, head of the Split Volunteer Centre of MI Association, noted that in this part of the year citizens of Split call more frequently to inquire how they can donate humanitarian aid or some of their own free time. “During this period, people pay a little more attention to their own families. Therefore, they become more aware of those who are deprived of the holiday spirit and who are on the verge of social exclusion. This does not mean that volunteers are not active throughout the year, but in this period they do become more visible. Volunteering in general is increasingly becoming a lifestyle for young people, which is great. The very motivation and desire to help someone represents the beginning of civic solidarity”, Tešija explained.
Đordana Barbarić, president of MoST Association, also said that solidarity in Split lasts through the whole year, although people and the media get more involved in helping the needy during the holiday season. “During the past seven months, since the opening of our Humanitarian Supermarket, we have seen that civic activism, humanity and goodness still exist in the madness of the modern era. Our fellow citizens know they can help 365 days a year and that is the reason why they call us almost daily, but they still mistakenly believe they can only contribute with large donations. It is important for them to understand that even one package of flour, sugar or oil is enough to make a difference. In addition, something that someone considers a piece of waste can maybe be useful to someone else”, Barbarić said.
She also noted that potential obstacle is the fact that people want to help but do not know how. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically promote the values of civic engagement and work on the visibility of organizations which are intermediaries and without which many would not know how to help the needy. “Changes are possible, and the response of the citizens to charity drives is a proof that Split is a city in which solidarity truly lives”, Barbarić concluded.
