Positive Angola

Social responsibility. Two words that look good on any personal or corporate CV. Everyone will agree. They bring to mind other buzzwords – synergy, sustainability, focus, resilience...
Recently, I stopped to reflect on responsibility with regard to what is social. Or about society’s call for responsibility. I have noticed that, at the right time, there is a growing commitment in taking responsibility for society. 
Large companies are beginning to prioritise projects that help those who need to be helped. This often has to do with supporting organisations that take in those who are unable, who don’t succeed, or who have been made not to succeed, through no fault of their own.
Religious institutions were there before them, many years, decades, centuries ago. They were at the forefront of charity (a word that is no longer fashionable), sometimes giving nothing but a word of comfort. They are still among us today, often invisibly. But outside this major social responsibility, which in the last resort makes the state responsible, there is the small one. That of all of us. 
You will tell me that the vast majority of us are not in a position to take responsibility for social matters, because it would be a drop in the ocean, because we also need it, because we also have those who need it, because we are not able. But we all have something we can contribute – time. Putting aside some time to realise that, wherever we go every day, there is an organisation, a building, a courtyard, a ‘nothing’, with people inside. Sometimes little people who also find our time useful. Time to listen, time to vent, time to advise, time to overcome, time to play.
Start taking hold of your social responsibility by giving time. It is not expensive and it is there in your hand. It’ll make you feel good.