Of generosity and empathy

Pope Benedict's calling during his annual Urbi et Orbi address on Christmas Day for peoples of all nations to engage with renewed vigour and generosity was answered sooner than expected.

Take L-Istrina, for example. The outgoing year, unlike previous years, emphasised the principle of generosity and empathy more than ever before. President George Abela took the bold and, one could possibly argue, risky, decision for the annual charity marathon not to include give-aways in return for donations.

Undoubtedly, the values of generosity and empathy ought to be practised unconditionally and without any expectation of some form of return.

One could argue that previous editions, whereby the presenters would have had to announce the next prize to be won in an effort to raise the total sum raised as fast as possible, made L-Istrina, in the eyes of many, more of an auction market than a fund-raising event. The viewer would be more tempted to donate, depending on whether the freebie was required or whether it was an expensive one, making it worth the donation. Or, perhaps, if the first attempt failed, the second might prove to be the successful call.

The principle might have been one in sync with the saying that the end justifies the means, yet, we should perhaps refrain from condemning the previous system simply because it definitely contributed to the popularity and the sort of following the event enjoys today.

There is, however, as we know, always room for improvement. This year, the Maltese people have given proof of their maturity and sensibility by acknowledging this and, despite the lack of prizes, they forked out a global sum that is comparable to that collected in previous years. The result in itself signifies that the people have embraced this new system and want it to become permanent.

Some expected the sum collected to be higher than last year's but this boils down to sponsors appreciating the new system and donating money rather than goods or services. This could be a means of how more private sponsorship can be secured for the next edition.

Much has already been said in the media regarding the right ingredients of this year's event but an almost certain added value was achieved through the organisational ownership, which fell under the leadership of the Office of the President. By all means, the main TV stations must also be collectively praised for willingly airing the event for such a just cause, giving up in turn commercial airtime at their own expense.

L-Istrina 2009 has given us the pleasure to put aside the differences we have as a nation and achieve unity through generosity and empathy. At the doorstep of 2010, another charity event was held: the Open Day at Dar tal-Providenza in Siġġiewi on New Year's Day.

The place remains the natural home for persons with disability, or l-anġli (the angels), as the founder, Monsignor Mikiel Azzopardi, used to call them. Little is said in the media on the sterling work being accomplished by this home. It might best be described through the words of the late Pope John Paul II in his address to the Faith and Light Movement, when he had said that "our society is called to discover the dignity of the disabled, to accept them and to integrate them in social life".

Just as L-Istrina brought 2009 to a positive end, likewise, Dar tal-Providenza offers the possibility for us to start off 2010 on a positive note.

The truth is that when one looks at the whole picture, a donation, as small as it can be, goes a long way. It is a little extra but, ultimately, a necessity.

ryancallus@gmail.com