By Laura Tester
A Central Alberta-based international development organization is calling on Canadians to increase their compassion as part of the country’s 150th birthday.
A Better World Canada co-founder Eric Rajah hopes that caring acts will rise across the country as a result of the organization’s Community Compassion 12 project.
The idea is simple — do one act of compassion each month as an individual, family, business, church or organization.
A Better World Canada offers a variety of ways people can show they care on its website.
They include visiting the elderly, joining the bone marrow registry, and writing thank-you notes.
Participants are invited to submit their acts of compassion (with photos if possible) for publication through the website, emailing compassion@abwcanada or calling 403-782-0325. As well, #compassion12 hashtag can be used to post acts of compassion on social media.
Rajah said he thought of the idea two years ago, remembering what it was like for him to come to Canada as a 13-year-old from Sri Lanka.
“The only thing that I remember was that it was a kind, caring and compassionate country. That was the world image of Canada and still is.”
The “movement” as organizers hope it will become, was launched this month to mark the country’s monumental birthday.
“The best thing we can give (during this birthday) is to go back to the roots of what Canada means to so many people,” said Rajah.
A Better World Canada was formed 26 years ago and its management, executive director and board are 100 per cent volunteers. It invests in education, health, water, agriculture and income generation while partnering with local communities to establish long-term development.
Donors can get directly involved in projects to help decide how their money is spent. They often visit projects and meet local people to see the returns on their investments.
Click here to see how you can get involved
Click here to submit your acts of compassion
Click here to view Red Deer Advocate’s “National compassion project originates in Central Alberta”.
Click here to view CTV News’ “Central Alberta charity marking Canada’s 150th with Community Compassion”.
