International Day of Charity: 5 low-cost ways to give back this weekend
By Dan Kauna, September 5, 2026September 5 marks International Day of Charity, a day set aside by the United Nations to honour acts of giving and encourage more people to take part.
You do not need a big budget to observe it. A few hours and a willing spirit are often enough.
Here are five low-cost ways to give back this weekend.
1. Join a blood donation drive
The Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service runs donation drives in most towns, and a single pint can help save several lives. Giving blood costs nothing beyond the time it takes, and it comes with a side benefit.
A 2024 study published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research found that “blood donors report significantly higher happiness score compared to non-donors.”
Check with your nearest hospital or Red Cross branch for the next scheduled drive.
2. Volunteer at a food bank
Food banks and community kitchens across the country rely on volunteers to sort, pack and distribute food to families in need.
A few hours sorting donations or serving meals can make a real difference to someone’s week, and it costs nothing but your time.
3. Mentor someone younger
Whether it is a younger relative, a neighbour’s teenager or a student, offering guidance on schoolwork, career choices or simple life skills leaves a lasting mark.
Research published in the Journal of Happiness Studies points to the association between volunteering and subjective wellbeing, and mentoring counts as giving back.
It costs nothing but conversation and consistency.
4. Join a litter clean-up
Estates, beaches and market centres across Kenya regularly organise clean-up exercises. Grab gloves and a garbage bag and join in.
It takes an hour or two, needs no special skill, and leaves your neighbourhood better than you found it.
5. Share a skill
If you can bake, code, sew or fix a leaking tap, someone nearby wants to learn it. Offer a free lesson to a young person in your estate or church group.
Skills-sharing costs nothing and can open doors for someone looking for work.
Charity does not have to wait for a big cheque or a free weekend. These five ideas need little more than time, and each one leaves someone better off than before.