LET US GIVE GENEROUSLY THIS FESTIVE SEASON

The festive season is upon us. At the centre of this holiday season worldwide, is the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ more than 2000 years ago.
The Christian faith is about God’s love for mankind. Shopping centres glitter with lights as a reminder of the festive season.
Companies and organisations have been hosting bashes, which provide an opportunity for reflection on the long year, as well as for management to appreciate staff contributions to companies. It is, however, a sad reality that tens of thousands of emaSwati will not enjoy the festive season because they are trapped in poverty and unemployment.
Poverty
According to the African Development Bank Report, poverty was estimated at 58.9 percent in 2017, and inequality (Gini index 54.6 in 2016) remains a core development challenge for Eswatini, which is exacerbated by high unemployment (35.4 per cent in 2023).
Poverty is more pronounced in rural areas (70.2 percent) than in urban areas (19.6 per cent). Youth unemployment remains stubbornly high for the 15-24 age group (56 per cent), and 48.7 per cent for the 15-35 years age group, and is driven by skills mismatches, weak private sector growth to absorb skilled youth labour and inadequate entrepreneurship development skills, among other constraints.
With the foregoing reality, it is critical that we implore emaSwati to share with those who are struggling to make ends meet. The holiday season has a way of warming our hearts and igniting the spirit of generosity within us. It’s that time of the year when we gather with loved ones, share meals and exchange gifts.
In a busy world, pausing during the holidays to consider the joy of giving to the less privileged can be a powerful, inspiring and transformative experience, as we beam with kindness, compassion and a desire to make the country and the world brighter also for those who are on the fringes of society. It is also worth noting that giving has profound emotional and psychological benefits that extend far beyond the festive hype.
Creates
It’s an experience that warms the heart, nourishes the soul and leaves a lasting imprint on our well-being as human beings. Giving creates a sense of fulfillment that’s hard to match. It is the kind of inner satisfaction that radiates from deep within the inner being of the giver. Knowing that you’ve made a positive impact on someone’s life can significantly boost your self-esteem and self-worth.
It reaffirms one’s sense of purpose and the belief that one’s actions matter, as one sees smiles in those that benefit from those willing to give generously. Giving also fosters a sense of belonging and connection with your community and the people you love. It reinforces the idea that we are all interconnected, creating a deeper sense of purpose and community spirit. It is in line with our African spirit of Ubuntu, which says ‘you are because I am’.
A former British prime minister once said: “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Let us give, so that our happiness multiplies as we share it. And what better than sharing it with a marginalised individual, be it a child, the elderly or the disabled? Let us use this time to introduce our children to the world of kindness, where they share whatever they have with that child in hospital, that child who lives in a child-headed home and that child who is a victim of abuse.
As children observe parents who extend themselves to the less privileged, they develop empathy, compassion and generosity. It must be noted that for the marginalised, giving generates hope instead of being reminded of what they lack. One’s kindness becomes a beacon of hope, a reminder that they are not forgotten, as fellow humans or liSwati.
Care
They face the day with a sense of appreciation that there are those who care about their well-being as well. As humans, we are also part of a larger community. Giving, therefore, fosters a sense of community. Hence, generosity becomes the glue that binds communities together, embracing shared joy where everyone, regardless of circumstance, feels the warmth of the holiday season.
Let us give in response to God’s call for us to give. In Matthew 25:35-36, Jesus said: “For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink.  I was a stranger, and you invited me in. I needed clothes, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you looked after me; I was in prison, and you came to visit me.”
Then the righteous will answer him: “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you?” In verse 40, he replied: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters, you did it for me.”
Kindly give a smile to someone!

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