Team Reports |
Lesson Learned, Question AnsweredBrenda Porter-Lockhart – Waterloo, ON
"It's better to give than to receive." Isn't that just something Mom always said so you wouldn't be upset when your siblings got better gifts than you? "Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Whatever," you'd think. Well, lo and behold, maybe Mom was right! Before the distribution I decided I would determine, once and for all, if, in fact, it is better to give than to receive. After all, we were here to give, on behalf of donors, to children who will receive a gift of love. Researchers have found that the mesolimbic pathway in the brain is activated by charitable giving. This area is one of the major pathways where you find the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is associated with the brain's pleasure system. Furthermore, donating also appears to increase the release of oxytocin, a hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter and is involved in social bonding and building trust between people. That's the scientific explanation. But now I'd like to share my thoughts with you based on the last two weeks. Having watched my team member, and first time travelling volunteer, Wayne, my observation is that the two acts are tightly interwoven. As he explained in his report, as he handed each child their bedkit he received their blessing and gratitude in one simple gesture.
I would argue that what he received from them was the greater gift. At various points during the distributions, I couldn't help but read the various labels and marvel at how many bedkits are given as a gift – in place of a present wrapped under the tree or in appreciation for a kindness bestowed to the donor. In these cases, the recipient has often received the initial notification of the gift and, unless otherwise requested, will receive the photo of the child who received a bedkit in their name. Once again, the two are intertwined. As a SCAW travelling volunteer, I have willingly paid all expenses related to this journey – in return I have received all the immeasurable joys associated with hearing, "Thank you, po," from the children, their families, the local volunteers in the Philippines which gives me great joy. In return, I will continue to share the SCAW story whenever I can to continue passing it on. Question answered: in giving, you also receive. |
