Charity begins … everywhere. How giving makes you rich.

An old maxim some hold dear states that “Charity begins at home”. While that may have been true long, long ago, in today’s agile, connected, Covid-ravaged and diverse world, charity not only has no boundaries but it is also increasingly seen to aid the giver as much as – if not more – than the receiver.

I have been a fan of Kiva for over a decade. I think I stumbled on it via an article I read, but whatever or whomever the reason for finding it, I remain extremely grateful.

Kiva is a platform where you lend money to individuals as well as small (and micro) enterprise across the world. Your loan is pooled with other lenders across the globe and then repaid over a period of time. This mechanism enables access to funding for many who would otherwise not have been able to have finacnial dignity.

One of the reasons I love the platform is that I can set my criteria for who I loan to (I prefer women or women driven enterprises and those based on the African continent). Another big plus for me is that my money gets repaid and I can then recycle it. Over the years, my initial $150 has been lent, repaid and relent and turned into over $3000! Some stats below:

Over the years, more and more corporates have embraced charity – and in a way that, to my mind, is sustainable. Looking at systemic challenges and addressing those in the long run. Not only supporting a soup kitchen and handing out food parcels (often desperately needed) but also looking at why food insecurity exists and investing in urban farming, as an example.

The good that has – and continues – to be achieved in South Africa and across the world is staggering. Once you start looking for the good being done, you are overwhelemd by the generosity, ingenuity, deep caring and humanity of many who heads the methodist maxim I am so fond of “To whom much is given, much is expected”.

At the start of lockdown, EasyEquities quickly (overnight in fact) launched their Donate for Good functionality. And as CEO Charles Savage says: “Hands down my favourite innovation of lockdown!” (which is big considering the platform launched EasyEquities Australia, EasyProperties and much else besides in lockdown….)

In the 500 or so days that South Africa has been in various stages of lockdown and loadshedding (times whih cause distress, fear and anger for many), the EasyEquites community has supported around 20 diverse charities, with the current one Gift of the Givers being nominated by EasyEquities partner Capitec.

Donating is simple – at confirmation stage of a share purchase, EasyEquities users have the option to donate R5, R50, R500 or any amount to a charity with the full amount raised going to that charity.

With all the work being done by Gift of the Givers, across our nation, and with their charge – “You will serve all people of all races, of all religions, of all colours, of all classes, of all political affiliations and of any geographical location. You will serve them unconditionally” – it is easy to see why Capitec and EasyEquities thought this a worthy charity to support. In doing some digging, I have been hugely inspired by the CSI contributions of Capitec. Thank you.

Other charities include 67 Blankets with founder Carolyn Steyn saying:

The full list of Donate for Good charities supported by the EasyEquities community raising hundreds of thousands of rands include:

• The Solidarity Fund – uniting the nation to fight Covid;
• Cotlands – helping to create a more equal and prosperous society by giving its vulnerable children the advantage;
• The National Horse Trust – preventing abuse of horses and making the industry more sustainable for all its workers;
• The Purple Map Initiative – ongoing CSI project by Purple Group team;
• The Saartjie Baartman Centre – a one-stop centre for women and children who are survivors of abuse with the vision of creating a safe and secure society and a human rights culture where women and children are empowered to exercise their full rights;
• Thandulwazi Maths and Science Academy – created in 2005, a pioneering initiative by St Stithoans to provide educational growth opportunities for students and teachers based in public schools;
• Yes4Youth – a business-led collaboration that seeks out ground breaking ways, through innovation and technological best practice, to reignite the economy and give youth a dignified first chance;
• Epilepsy Centre Mpumalanga – assisting the friends of the Epilepsy Centre in Dullstroom;
• African Icons Invitational – a few of our community sporting legends contributing through sport;
• Ubuntu Pathways – a child’s birthplace should not determine her future;
• South Coast Hospice – dedicated to all the everyday heroes;
• Operation Hunger fighting malnutrition, nominated by Good Things Guy;
• Nature’s Valley Trust working at the cutting edge of integrated conservation nominated by Emperor Asset Management Otter Trail;
• Bokomosa a vehicle in which modest individual contributions are combined and mobilized towards the educational costs of children;
• TAG Foundation driven by the spirit of Ubuntu and the will to make a difference in the lives of competent learners from financially challenged home backgrounds;
• Malachi Place of Safety Cape Town – caring for vulnerable children.

In times of despair, hurt, fear and – frankly – when I just feel pissed off, I am always, ALWAYS, picked up by those that I helped and contributed to. Every time. Giving comes back in spades. Karma is indeed a B … eautiful thing!