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National compassion project originates in Central Alberta

Canadians encouraged to show they care
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A Central Alberta man who felt Canada’s compassion when he arrived as a boy now wants to promote caring as part of the country’s 150th birthday.

A Better World Canada co-founder Eric Rajah hopes that caring acts will rise across the country as a result of the organization launching its Community Compassion 12 project.

The idea is to do one act of compassion each month as an individual, family, business, church or organization.

Rajah said remembers what it was like for him to come to Canada as a 13-year-old from Sri Lanka.

“The only thing that I remember was that it was a kind, caring and compassionate country. That was the world image of Canada and still is.”

“The best thing we can give (during the 150th birthday) is to go back to the roots of what Canada means to so many people,” said Rajah, who lives in Lacombe, and who has travelled extensively to work in developing nations.

Some of the ways people can show they care might include visiting the elderly, joining the bone marrow registry, and writing thank-you notes.

A Better World Canada offers a variety of other ways people can show they care on its website at

www.abwcanada.ca/portfolio/community-compassion-12

Participants can submit their acts of compassion (with photos if possible) for publication through the website, emailing compassion@abwcanada or calling 403-782-0325. As well, #compassion12 hashtag can be used to post acts of compassion on social media.

A Better World Canada is a Central Alberta-based international development organization. It was formed 26 years ago and its management, executive director and board are all volunteers. It invests in education, health, water, agriculture and income generation in developing nations and elsewhere while partnering with local communities to establish long-term development.

Donors can get directly involved in projects to help decide how their money is spent. They often visit projects and meet local people to see the returns on their investments.