“Love is not patronizing and charity isn’t about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the
same — with charity you give love, so don’t just give money but reach out your hand
instead.”― Mother Teresa“
These inspiring words from a saint of mercy who cared for countless people in India are a true motivation for anyone. Helping people in need and above all helping those suffering change our perspective about life. Love and compassion towards others are a steadying force in the fast paced and hectic lives that we lead today. Learning to share the burdens of others also brings purpose and value to whatever we do.
Education finds its true meaning when students learn not only about academic matters but also imbibe lessons that enrich their lives on the emotional side too. Keeping this in mind, AlAmeen College, Edathala taken up monthly visits to the Cancer ward at Ernakulam General Hospital as a best practice.
The college Charity Club has initiated the practice of a weekly collection from the staff and students of the college every Friday. Charity boxes are kept in each department for the purpose. Some departments also encourage the habit of each student dropping a rupee in the Charity box every day. Each month an amount of Rs. 5000/- is donated to the Cancer ward, Ernakulam General Hospital towards the treatment and well being of the patients there.
Departments take turns each month to make the visit with about five representative students. The feedback from staff and students who visited the Cancer ward show how much they have been affected by the condition of the patients there. Students interacting with those undergoing treatment share their pain. They are also motivated to do more to aid these ailing individuals. Many departments had collected more money as a way to provide treatment for
the needy. On one occasion, the students were heartened to know that their contribution of Rs 10,000/- would provide for the essential chemotherapy of a patient without the means to raise the amount himself.
Al-Ameen College finds that such experiences enlighten the students in more ways than one. They learn to rise above their own needs, of how to deal with the tragedy of ill health and above all they start to understand the meaning of compassion.
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