Wherever you live, acknowledge that you are part of the community. As a member of society, you have a responsibility to help others and improve the well-being of society, whether on a local, national or global scale. To do this, try to pay more attention to the people who live around you, and look for ways to help meet their needs. If possible, you can also do various positive things that will benefit the local community in the long term, such as going to high school, doing charity work, donating blood, and protecting the environment.
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Method 1 of 4: Helping Those Around You
Step 1. Help those around you whenever possible
In fact, even a very simple help can benefit the community around you, you know! Therefore, whenever you find an opportunity to help others, do it with pleasure.
- For example, help an old man or woman to cross the street.
- Or, give a modest amount of money to the homeless. If possible, you can even buy them food and have a chat while they wait for them to finish eating.
- If you see someone having trouble opening the door or carrying their belongings, offer to help.
Step 2. Listen to stories about other people's lives and show your empathy
In fact, all your friends, relatives and co-workers are part of society. That's why you too can contribute to society by showing them the emotional support they need! If you want, you can also share a negative event that happened to you, and then allow the other person to do the same afterward.
- For example, if a coworker recently lost a loved one forever, try saying, “I'm so sorry, okay? If you want to talk, I'll be happy to listen to it."
- Or, if a friend is having a hard time academically, try saying, “Ugh, that must be annoying. I'm sorry to hear about your difficulties this semester. Have a coffee, let's go, so you can talk about your class!”
Step 3. Educate the young people in your neighborhood to build their character
If you're an adult, chances are your life has been filled with a wealth of practical knowledge and experience that can be shared with younger people. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with participating in a mentorship program to accommodate adults so that they can share their personal and professional knowledge with young people who find it difficult to live their lives.
Try browsing the internet to find mentorship programs in your area of residence. Today, quite a number of churches and social groups (such as Scouts) hold mentorship programs
Step 4. Volunteer in various local communities to improve the welfare of local communities
Volunteering is the perfect way to interact with local communities while helping to improve the lives of people who are less fortunate than you. Don't worry, volunteering generally won't take up too much of your time, but it can have a very significant impact on the lives of those around you! If it aligns with your personal interests, you could try:
- Volunteer at the nearest homeless shelter or food bank.
- Volunteer in organizations such as the Indonesian Red Cross or the Indonesian Salvation Army.
- Working closely with the Indonesian Humanitarian Habitat Foundation to build decent houses for the community.
- Volunteer in a hospital or nursing home for a dying patient.
Step 5. Donate blood to help people who are injured or less well
People who are sick or injured often need regular blood transfusions. Therefore, there is no harm in donating some of your blood to help them! Generally, most hospitals will hold an annual blood donation program, and local blood banks are always looking for new people to register and donate blood.
Browse internet pages by typing in the keyword “blood donors near you today” to find out which blood donor locations you can visit
Method 2 of 4: Contributing as a Citizen
Step 1. Vote in local and national elections
Do this to improve the welfare of society as a whole! Because Indonesia is a democratic country, voting is a very important aspect to show your contribution on a local and national scale. As a responsible voter, make sure you seek information about all the elected candidates and the issues they are promoting, and then vote for individuals and policies that are deemed to be of direct benefit to society.
For example, research and give your voice to issues that are often overlooked such as taxes, city governance, and state regulations
Step 2. Find a job that is meaningful to you
Work is the perfect way to contribute positively, directly or indirectly, to society. If you want your work to provide direct and tangible benefits to the community, try to find a job that allows you to help improve community welfare or the quality of local infrastructure. For example, you could work as a firefighter or a construction worker. In addition, you can also try the following work that is no less useful:
- Work in a shelter or animal management.
- Accommodating the needs of minority or disadvantaged groups.
- Work as a public official.
Step 3. Always pay your tax obligations on time, if possible
If you are already working, paying taxes is part of your social responsibility that must be fulfilled. In particular, the taxes you pay will later be used by the government to improve infrastructure and pay civil servants salaries. Today, the process of paying taxes can be done online so it is no longer difficult. In addition, you can also ask an accountant to help with the tax calculation and payment process.
If you're having financial difficulties and can't pay taxes on a temporary basis, talk to your accountant and ask for advice on deferring tax payments
Method 3 of 4: Making a Greater Contribution to Society
Step 1. Make financial contributions to local social institutions, if you can
This method allows you to donate money to strengthen the community and improve the lives of the people in it. In addition, you will also be a good role model for others so that they will be inspired to take equally commendable actions in the future. Browse the internet to find charities that accept donations and donate to people in need.
In fact, the donations you can make are not limited to money. Some institutions also accept donations in the form of used clothing or vehicles
Step 2. Teach simple skills that will benefit the lives of the people around you
Teaching practical knowledge and everyday skills is an excellent way to contribute to society and improve its overall quality. In other words, don't hesitate to teach your friends, neighbors, or even strangers practical ways to deal with everyday problems, to your friends, neighbors, or even strangers.
- For example, if a friend's car won't start because the battery has run out, try teaching him tips for starting the car's engine with the help of a jack and rope.
- Or, teach outdoor survival skills to the kids in your neighborhood. For example, teach them how to pitch a tent, start a fire naturally, or sharpen a knife.
- If you're a mechanic, or just good at fixing things, try teaching your neighbors how to change a flat car tire, change a bicycle tire, or repair a simple engine.
Step 3. Have a good education and can use it to help others after graduation
Nothing prevents you from working as hard as possible to achieve a good academic education, whether the level is equivalent to high school, diploma, undergraduate, or even master's degree. A good education is the door for you to contribute in society, both on a local and global scale, and this privilege is not owned by people who do not have maximum achievements in terms of academics.
- For example, you can take agricultural studies or agriculture studies in college. After graduation, you can return to the community back home to help them build better farming practices.
- Or, if you have a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology, you can open a private clinic to help people who have mental problems or difficulties.
Step 4. Share your specific knowledge with the local community
No matter how low your level of formal education is, chances are there will always be knowledge and skills that you can share with the local community and benefit them, right? If you want, you can hold a simple seminar at home on tips for managing your finances, or contact your local library and offer to host a seminar on how to pay taxes and save money.
Sharing specific knowledge is the perfect way to make your academic achievements feel useful to the community
Method 4 of 4: Maintaining Environmental Sustainability
Step 1. Make efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle whenever possible
Remember, all humans live in pristine ecosystems, and protecting the environment is a very important factor to contribute to society. Therefore, from now on try to recycle plastic and minimize its use in general. Also, make sure you also dispose of recyclable materials (such as food and drink containers) in special recycling containers instead of the trash.
- For example, if you have used clothes, try modifying the design instead of throwing them away. If you want, you can also donate it to the nearest social organization.
- Do not also buy materials that are not biodegradable (can be decomposed naturally), such as styrofoam.
Step 2. Save fuel by taking public transportation or bicycles every week
In fact, driving alone is an act that wastes fuel and pollutes the environment. Therefore, try to save as much fuel as possible by riding a bicycle or riding a ride with the people closest to you wherever you go. Or, you can also take public transportation such as buses or trains to work to reduce the amount of pollution caused by fuel use in your city.
By minimizing carbon printing and preserving the environment, you are actually contributing to the health of the surrounding community
Step 3. Plant trees in public areas to help clean the air quality
Besides being able to beautify the appearance of the streets, the trees you plant can also make the environment healthier to live in! If interested, you can buy saplings at the nearest plant store, then plant them when the weather is favorable.
- If you want to plant trees in city parks or other areas owned by the government, immediately contact the local government to find out the procedure.
- If you don't mind going overboard, try doing a little research on the types of trees that can be easier to grow in the area where you live.
Step 4. Use solar panels to supply electricity in the house
Instead of using electricity services from power companies that burn fossil fuels and pollute the atmosphere, try supplying electricity independently with the help of solar panels. Today, solar panels can be easily installed on the roof of the house and produce enough energy to meet 100% of the electricity needs in your home, you know!
