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BE A GOOD PERSON: volunteer or Give Back to Your Community.
Be a Good Person: Volunteer or Give Back to Your Community
Everywhere you look, there are signs that people are struggling. Some face hunger, others are battling illnesses they can’t afford to treat, while many are simply trying to find a place to call home. It’s easy to feel like the world’s problems are too big for any one person to solve. But what if the solution starts small—with you, in your community, doing what you can? Read the remaining article slowly, and think about it.
Volunteering or giving back isn’t just about charity. It’s about connection. It’s about recognizing that we’re all part of something bigger and that when we help others, we help ourselves. Think about it: the neighborhood you live in, the city you call home, or even the world at large can only grow stronger if people care enough to invest their time, skills, and resources in making things better.
Take a walk through any community, whether it’s in a bustling city like Lagos or a quiet village in rural India, and you’ll see endless opportunities to make a difference. Maybe it’s organizing a local clean-up to tackle piles of trash that seem to grow by the day. Maybe it’s mentoring young people who are desperate for guidance but have no one to turn to. Or perhaps it’s as simple as sitting with an elderly neighbor who hasn’t had a visitor in weeks.
Giving back doesn’t have to be complicated or grand. The beauty of volunteering is that it meets you where you are. Some people give their time by helping out at food banks, while others donate a bit of money to causes they care about. And let’s not forget those who use their skills—whether it’s teaching, building, or even just listening—to make someone else’s life a little easier.
Globally, the impact of these small acts adds up in ways that are truly inspiring. During natural disasters, like the earthquake in Turkey and Syria earlier this year, ordinary people from all over the world stepped up. They donated supplies, offered shelter, and gave their time to help rebuild shattered lives. It’s a reminder that, no matter where you are, the instinct to help others is universal.
And it’s not just the person on the receiving end who benefits. Ask anyone who has volunteered, and they’ll tell you it changes you. It makes you see the world differently. You start to understand the challenges other people face, and you learn to appreciate what you have. It also gives you a sense of purpose—knowing you’re part of something bigger than yourself.
Take my friend Anita (not her real name), for example. She’s a doctor who spends her weekdays in a busy hospital, but every Saturday, she runs a free clinic for women and children in a low-income area. She often tells me how those hours, though exhausting, are the most fulfilling part of her week. It’s not just about the medical care she provides; it’s about the connections she makes with people who now see her as someone they can trust.
Of course, not everyone can dedicate large chunks of time like Anita. That’s okay. Giving back isn’t a competition. It’s about doing what you can, when you can. Maybe that’s offering to babysit for a single mom who needs a break, or donating old clothes to a shelter instead of letting them gather dust in your closet. The point is to start somewhere.
We live in a world that often glorifies individual success, but the truth is, none of us can thrive alone. Communities thrive when their members care for one another. Imagine what the world would look like if more people stepped up—not because they had to, but because they wanted to.
So, here’s my challenge to you: look around. What does your community need? How can you help? Whether you have an hour a week or just a moment to spare, your effort matters. And who knows? Your small act of kindness might inspire someone else to do the same. Pause and think about that.
The world doesn’t just need heroes; it needs neighbors, friends, and ordinary people willing to show up. Be one of them. Your community—and the world—will thank you for it.
As an upcoming person , I don’t only encourage this in me, but in others as well. Be a good person, be a blessing and a changemaker, a reason someone can smile.
This is part of my effort in making the world a better place.
