In this world that a lot of people are moved by self-interest, who are easily distracted by social media and whatnot, building a generation of young ones who are committed to showing kindness and doing good is one of the best legacies you can leave behind. It is how you raise the young ones that they will grow up to be. Just to let you know, a "do-gooder" is not one who is showing off or doing it for the sake of applause or commendation, but someone who acts out of empathy and compassion even when it is not convenient. Teaching the youths and the young ones this value will not only be beneficial to the society but to the youths themselves.
The foundation of raising kind people and do-gooders starts at home. The society is a direct reflection of what happens in the individual homes of people. This is why parents, guardians, and even the older siblings have a part to play in instilling generosity, kindness, goodness, and empathy into the young ones. If you nurture them with that nature, they will grow with it and also pass it on to others. More so, you also need to live right and practise kindness and goodness in front of them. Trust me, the little ones are very observant and they learn by imitating what they have seen. If your child sees you help your neighbour assist a stranger, undertake voluntary work, etc, they will learn and also do the same.
While growing up, we normally visited the less privileged, IDPs, etc, to extend love to them during occasions and festive season; we normally go for the visitation in the company of my family members. I grew up with that nature, and whenever there is an occasion, not just occasion, even on other days, I also buy things and take to those people as a way of extending love to them. I observed the goodness from them and I continued in it. In fact, it has become a part of me. When you do good and show kindness around the young ones, they will also learn it from you and will grow with it. By that, you are building a generation of do-gooders.
I remember what my Grandfather used to say many years ago when we used to go to the village during school vacation: "be the reason why someone is happy. But if you cannot make them happy, at least do not create their sadness." What this means is that you are to create a positive impact in people, or at least, do not become a negative influence for them. The little ones need to be made to understand that doing good is a choice, not what someone is born with. More so, anyone can do good if they choose to. It is not the size of the good that you do that counts the most, but at your level, you have to do within your own capacity. No matter where you are, you can still be a do-gooder.
It is worthy to note that teaching the young ones to do good and the value of empathy will make them to look beyond themselves as the key. They need to understand that the world is not revolving or rotating around them. One of my uncles once told me many years ago; "wherever you are, always remember other and help them." By helping to raise others, you will also rise with them. When you do good in your own capacity, maybe within your neighborhood, others will be influenced to do the same. By this, goodness will begin to go round and the world will be a better place.
Doing good does not mean that you are perfect, neither does it mean that you have everything, but is about the heart for humanity, about consistency and efforts. Sometimes, the little gestures that you show to someone can make a very big difference in their life. If you plant the seed of doing good in the hearts of the younger generation today, you will reap a society that is full of empathy, positive change, and humanity tomorrow. Trust me, the future needs kind-hearted people, not perfect people. When it is in your heart to do good, it will be in your hand to do it.
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