International Day of Charity

Charity means generosity, aid and helpfulness, especially toward the needy or suffering. International Day of Charity marks the death date of Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997), who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace. Born in 1910, Mother Theresa went to India aged 18 years and thence devoted herself to helping the destitute, founded the order of Missionaries of Charity (1950) and ministered to the poor, sick, orphaned and dying, while guiding the Missionaries of Charity’s expansion, first in India and then in other countries, including hospices and homes for the poorest and homeless.The Day is to foster the implementation of charity, volunteerism and philanthropy, to alleviate the worst effects of humanitarian crises, supplement public services in health care, education, housing and child protection, and assist the advancement of culture, science, sports, and the protection of cultural and natural heritage.