The Joy of Giving: How Love, Kindness and Community Can Uplift Children

Philanthropy, to me, has never been about grand gestures. It is about presence, intention, and the courage to care — especially where care is needed most. True giving begins when we choose to show up with open hearts and listen with compassion.

My recent time spent with children and families at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital reaffirmed something I have always believed deeply: joy is one of the most powerful gifts we can offer a child. Not joy that ignores reality, but joy that coexists with it — gentle, reassuring and deeply human. For me, philanthropy is not a moment; it is a mindset. It is the belief that kindness should be woven into the spaces we create and the communities we build. When we offer children opportunities to smile, play, create and feel seen, we are not distracting them — we are strengthening them.

Children do not ask for much. Often, what they need most is to feel understood, valued and surrounded by warmth. A simple conversation, a shared laugh, or a moment of creativity can remind them that they are more than their circumstances. Joy has a unique way of lifting the weight of difficult days. When children are given permission to express themselves freely — through art, play or imagination — they reconnect with their inner strength. In these moments, confidence grows quietly, and courage follows naturally. Creating environments where joy can exist, even briefly, is an act of care. It allows children to be children again — curious, playful, and hopeful.

Uplifting Children Through Connection
During my visits, I was deeply moved by the resilience of the children and the love surrounding them — from parents, caregivers, medical teams, and volunteers. These shared spaces of compassion remind us that uplifting children is never the responsibility of one person alone. It is a collective effort.

When we come together — families, volunteers, organisations, and communities — we create a circle of support that is far stronger than any single act. Community is built when people unite around purpose. Philanthropy becomes truly powerful when it brings different hearts together in service of something greater than ourselves. Each person plays a role — offering time, care, creativity, or simply presence.

In these moments of unity, children feel it most. They sense when a space is filled with sincerity, when kindness is shared freely, and when love is genuine. Giving is not about what we offer — it is about how we offer it. With empathy. With humility. With joy.

I will continue to champion initiatives that uplift children, celebrate kindness, and bring communities together — because when we give from the heart, we don’t just change moments. We help shape memories, build resilience, and remind one another of our shared humanity.

— Anna Morgenstern