H - is for Honour

Honour is the ‘H’ in the ReStory Foundation’s H.O.P.E. Building Model.

This is the starting point of transformative giving.

While we assume that material poverty is about material lack, it is about so much more. Being treated as less than, as having no voice, is one of the worst characteristics of material poverty. We can give to someone in material need and ironically increase their poverty by how we treat them in the process. The basic tenant is that how we see people matters more than what we say or do. What the ReStory Foundations calls ‘eye2eye’ giving is a vital part of this, where everyone is seen on the same level, regardless of material wealth or status. It is the recognition that we all give to each other, whether this is recognised or not.

You do not need to be giving money to give something of value.

All human beings are born with dignity. It is humanity, or, rather, our inhumanity, that strips it away - when a person is treated as a non-person, a mere statistic or recipient of charity, and not celebrated for what they offer to the world. Pope Francis said: “Human dignity is the same for all human beings: when I trample on the dignity of another, I am trampling on my own.” The opposite is true. When we restore the dignity of another by treating them with honour, we discover more of our own dignity and humanity.

We all can give honour and dignity to those ‘passed over’ by the world. And over time uncover their story and share ours. To begin a journey together. To be inspired and humbled. While giving one person dignity and calling out the best in them (and us in the process) will make no dent on social justice in our nation, if enough of us can join this movement, who knows what the impact may be.

“We are a people who have come together and shared extraordinarily to remake our society. We live the rainbow.” (National Development Plan 2030).