Deo Dante Dedi

For the old Carthusian’s reading, which I hope is quite a few; the title will be very familiar, It was our school motto: “Deo Dante Dedi” – “Because God has given, I give”. Up until very recently I can’t say I paid very much attention to it. It was just a bunch of words that were under a logo on the front cover of the white book, and blue book (don’t remember if it was blue or pink, and I know Sol is gonna hurl abuse at me if it was pink ... I await your bb). But the absence of giving in Nigeria constantly reminds me of this very powerful motto.

Don’t get me wrong Nigerians are quite generous within their families. For some reason it is absolutely normal for an Uncle to bankroll his entire extended family, put clothes on their backs, food on their tables and pay for their education (It’s a cultural thing I hear). But when it comes to giving to others that they don’t know at all in unfortunate situations, we quite frankly don’t do enough of it. Not saying we don’t do it at all, we just don’t do it enough. Funnily enough, at the moment I am reading a book which suggests that financial aid is contributing to Africa’s situation, I agree it is better to give a man a fishing rod as opposed to a fish. But I am not talking just about giving in the financial sense; I am talking about giving of yourself, your time, your emotions, as well as your substance.

I believe that every skill we have, and all the finances we have were given to us (by God )for a reason, and that it far supersedes just a satisfaction of our own personal needs and desires, but it is meant to help others that need that skill, or will benefit from a financial donation. If you are a great singer, people listening to your music will be touched by it, that in itself is giving, but you can also set up a weekend singing group in a poor neighbourhood where an option of recreation may stop a decision to go and rob a more affluent neighbourhood. If you are an Entrepreneur that has built your business from the ground up, you can mentor young people with potential to be even better than you are. There are always opportunities to give even if it is reading to orphans once a week, giving hygiene talks to your local community, counselling young rape victims, the list is endless.

Because God has given to me in the many talents, privileges, and even in the weaknesses and setbacks, I shall endeavour to give back to others that can learn from my mistakes, through my talents, and because of the privileges I enjoy. I enjoin everyone to do the little they can, because it goes a long way. A life lived with this principle at the forefront of it will nearly always be a more powerful and fulfilling life than one that is primarily focused on its own selfish desires. I have been out with the “Changing our world Foundation” in the work they are doing in the Obalande community, and the time spent just to put a smile on someone’s face and give them hope is well worth it.

Xoxo.