VIII Международный конкурс научно-исследовательских и творческих работ учащихся
Старт в науке
Благотворительность и милосердие. Проблема проявления добра в современном мире.
Автор работы награжден дипломом победителя III степени
Полная версия работы доступна во вкладке "Файлы работы" в формате PDF
Introduction
We live in a highly developed world. Most of us are busy with working or studying. Life nowadays have become so fast-paced that days blend together, we do same things over and over. Life moves at such fast pace that, before we even notice it, weeks or sometimes moths pass by. Each of us misses a lot because our heads are cluttered with thoughts about what we have to do next. When we finish one task, it’s on to the upcoming three before we take time to breathe. People burn the candles from both ends and forget about main values of life, don’t pay attention to the gestures of kindness of others but instead take them for granted. Simple things that we learn early in life such as empathy and goodwill fall into pieces as life speeds up. We think only about ourselves and there is no room in our heads for thoughts about those who are in need. People these days are so busy gratifying their own needs and desires that they overlook that of the others. We put our problems on top, try to achieve wealth but we forget about spiritual values. Being kind to others is out of question for most, but there is charity. Each of us hears that word every day, someone may use it or practise it in different forms. But what does charity really mean?
My project goal is to show you that the world could use a little more peace, love and understanding.
The following tasks were set:
To figure out what charity actually is
To understand why charity has appeared and why it’s so important
To track the development of charity in Russia
To get to know different forms of charity better
To encourage people to be more friendly and kind
Chapter 1. The term of «charity»
1.1 What does «charity» mean?
The word «charity» actually means generosity in giving help to the needy out of loving, kindness towards them. Charity is helping those more unfortunate than us. It’s making the world a better place for everyone. Some people call it «compassion», «benevolence» or «generosity». No matter what name you prefer, it’s all about showing friendship, seeing good in each other. Words you use to describe charity aren’t as important as taking some form of action to support others in overcoming their problems. The main idea of charity is that you should lend your hand the people from the bottom of your heart. It’s also important to emphasize that your intention should be to lessen the other person’s misery, not to gain fame or fortune.
1.2 What qualities make a person charitable?
A charitable person loves fellow human beings and likes to help them in distress. He or she is very sensitive to the feelings of others. The sight of pain or misery troubles charitable person badly and they try their best to alleviate it. Philanthropists tend to be empathetic toward the struggles of others. They feel an obligation to do what is in their power to combat these struggles because they view the problems and the hurt that comes with them as their own. People who want to make positive change in the world tend to look far into the future. They want to make a lasting impact on society rather than temporarily fixing a problem, and recognize that they must direct their efforts accordingly. They realize that in order to make significant societal change, it is crucial to address underlying structural issues by investing in long-term solutions. There are rewards to being charitable, both for the giver and the receiver. Not only are you being helpful to those in need, you are developing positive character traits and behaviours in yourself. Charitable work allows you to see life from someone else’s perspective—their struggles and hardships, their triumphs and strengths.
Chapter 2. Charity in Russia
2.1 How did the tradition of mercy appear in Russia?
To understand the place of charity in modern Russia better, let’s look back at history.
The tradition of mercy in Russia dates back to distant past. As travelers from the Western Europe noted, love and generosity Slavs showed to others, compassion and desire to help to overcome any kind of grief had been in common even before the Christianization of Kievan Rus’ took place in 988.
What’s more, during the reign of Vladimir the Great the clergy was obligated to keep an eye on the life of poor people. The ruler ensured funding on churches and hospitals and they had been places where elder persons, people with disabilities could get provision of welfare.
2.2 The benevolence in Middle Ages
Time had been moving on and the charity began to thrive.
It was one of the main government’s activity in Middle Ages. For instance, tsar Ivan the Terrible issued the executive orders that were designed to assist the needy. The first charitable institutions known as alms-houses were established and financed by the state.
The first Russian tsar from Romanov dynasty, Michael Fedorovich, requested the Patriarchal Prikaz (The government office that was in charge of religious and cultural aspects of life) to open up orphanages. In 1635 tsar donated land from his own property to build Pokrovsky Monastery.
His son, Aleksey Mikhailovich, created some new prikazes that cared about the impoverished as well. Besides, on the eve of the special events such as Christmas of Eastern tsar visited prisons and alms-houses to give people material help.
In 1682, during the reign of Feodor III Alexeyevich, the order to build schools for street children was issued.
Thus, more attention was given to charity in Middle Ages than ever before. During this period some charity basis were firstly set by the law.
2.3 The generous philanthropy of tsars in Russian Empire
During the rule of Peter I, the child protection and safeguarding the welfare of the orphans were placed in the care of the state. Parentless children could find a new family, become a marine or attend an art school.
Catherine II the Great provided funding to build custodial institutions for reprehensible children. At that point charity became somewhat a tradition among the Romanovs’. More and more facilities for people in need were opening up, government really aimed to alleviate the poverty and to give an opportunity to people with different disabilities to maintain a normal life.
Namely, Alexander I paid his attention to people with visual impairment. After his order development of teaching methodology for blind people began. Special schools and colleges for them were built.
The reigns of Alexander II the Liberator, Alexander III The Peacemaker and Nicholas II can be called the golden years of charity and mercy. At the very beginning of XX century, there were nearly 12000 charitable organizations and 190000 facilities that offered needy people help.
2.4 ThecharityinSovietperiod
By contrast, let’s check the situation in the Soviet period. The tradition of charity was violated by the 1917 revolution. All the funds of public and private charitable organizations were nationalized; property was submitted to the government. Later the authorities assumed the responsibility of providing a favourable context for the needy, so, at first sight, there was no necessity of creating charities. However, the government couldn’t find solutions for bigger problems such as mass neglect of children and some caring people started to show mercy and raise funds for them. LeninChildrenFundwascreated.
When the Great Patriotic War started and custom of giving revived. From the very beginning of the war workers and employees of the factory «Krasnyy proletariy» made a decision to send some money from their salaries to the fund of defence monthly and soon urged the whole country to do so. People all over the USSR rallied and even pensioners were donating part of their pensions. Money was not only form of charity, people donated clothes and different equipment as well. In just 3 months the defence fund was Только за 3 месяца фонд обороны составил amounted to 37 million rubbles.
During Perestroika establishment of several government funds was announced. ‘Culture Fund’ , ‘Child Fund’ and ‘Charity and Health Foundation’ are still functioning and helping everyone who needs it.
Chapter 3. Charity in today’s world
What can you do if you want to help others?
It goes without saying, that for most people charity is donating money to an organization. Aside from that, charity is possible have other various forms, it is pure joy of giving, which includes much more than material things. For example, giving of one’s time, however long or short that may be. Giving time is not so much about quantity, as it is about quality—about being present with another to support them in a “hands on” way. This might mean serving meals in that shelter, helping out during disaster relief, volunteering to drive seniors to appointments, baking dinner for a sick neighbor, or any number of activities that help you get to know those you are serving. Moreover, you can try giving of one’s personal energy and vitality. You may have some personal qualities in abundance and want to share them with others – enthusiasm, hope, grace, gratitude, patience, love – or you may want to increase these qualities in your own life. Each of these qualities brings energy to the space you share with someone when you are truly present with them. And of course, giving of one’s financial resources to provide aid, food, shelter, or clothing; or making a donation to a local or global cause. The sum of money given is not as important as the spirit of the gift. You could start off by giving what you can afford, knowing that even spare change is helpful. It’s important to remember that there is no one right way, only your way—the way that feels right for you. The act of giving can have many faces, like in a warm smile to strangers, a personal thank-you-letter, an encouraging word, an unexpected phone call, a thoughtful word of appreciation, a heartfelt forgiving when you are wronged. All this is done not out of duty or responsibility but out of the abundance of warmth and love you feel welling up inside you.
Conclusion
To sum up, charity is something that we need in our live. Charity is about recognising that a person needs help with something that they can’t do for themselves – and that their helplessness is not a sign of wickedness, but is part of the human condition. There are so many people throughout the world who are unwanted, unloved, uncared for, and forgotten by everybody and only we can help them. Unfortunately, some people still believes that their donations are too small to make much of a difference. However, as Mother Teresa once said: “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love” and this quote accurately captures the essence of charity and mercy. Every person can do his own bit and it would make some difference to another person life. Charity is a noble quality in human, as it brings welfare in the society. It enlarges people’s hearts and spreads the message of innocent love among the people.
Sources
https://www.dadabhagwan.org/path-to-happiness/humanity/what-is-charity-benefits-and-types-of-charity/
https://www.ycabfoundation.org/uncategorized/what-does-charity-mean-to-you/
https://sn.ria.ru/20130226/924715394.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_of_Russia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexis_of_Russia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feodor_III_of_Russia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_the_Great
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_the_Great
Научная статья «Советское общество и благотворительность в годы Великой Отечественной войны» Ковалевой C.И.
https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/sovetskoe-obschestvo-i-blagotvoritelnost-v-gody-velikoy-otechestvennoy-voyny