NCC promotes spirit of giving through new campaign |11 February 2014

Children and members of the public in general are being urged to be more generous through the launch of a new campaign dubbed ‘Catch the spirit of giving’.

An initiative of the National Council for Children (NCC), the campaign was officially launched yesterday by the Minister for Education Macsuzy Mondon, who is also the NCC’s chairperson.

The ceremony took place at the La Misère primary school in the presence of NCC patron Geva Rene, the ambassador for women and children Dr Erna Athanasius, NCC executive committee, the school’s head teacher Fatma Bibi, school community leaders, pupils of the La Misère primary school and their parents.

Referring to last year’s campaign which was ‘Gratitude’, Mrs Mondon said:  “‘Gratitude’ and ‘Giving’ go hand in hand; you cannot have one without the other.”

She asked everyone present to give a hug to the next person sitting next to them.

“Giving is not only about giving things. A hug, a kiss, a flower, help someone to carry something, help an elderly person cross the road, give a compliment, are the many small things that you can do and which can mean so much to the person receiving it,” Minister Mondon noted.

Minister Mondon asked everyone present not to wait only on birthdays and Christmas to be generous. “Let us everyday find something small to give someone else and discover how you, the giver, feel so much happier. Make everyday Christmas,” she said.

Minister Mondon made the first gesture by presenting members of the media who were covering the event a small token.

During the ceremony there were different gestures made to honour the spirit of giving campaign. As a child showing they too can give, Amelia Savy presented a gift to two La Misère pupils.

“Giving is the greatest gift of all,” Amelia said.

All pupils came with a little something and they made an exchange of gifts during the ceremony while all guests received a bookmark from the school.

The school also presented a bouquet of flowers to Minister Mondon and Mrs Rene.

Manfred Heinkelein presented the school with a batch of T-shirts and a representative from the Global Supply Centre (GSC) presented the school with a hamper of goods.

“It is to be noted that GSC will support the NCC by giving goods and basic commodities that the NCC in return will give to families identified as falling under the poverty line,” Jean-Claude Matombe, NCC’s communications coordinator, said.

A student also interpreted a poem written by Reuben Lespoir while a group of students also sang “Generous Kids”.

To end the ceremony Minister Mondon thanked everyone who was present, adding: “I do hope that you have caught the virus of giving and make sure that it is very contagious.