I have a confession: I used to be frustrated by gifts. No, not the idea of gifting, nor the love behind them, but rather the occasional wastefulness of the act itself. I grew up without excess luxury, and it pained me to watch loving friends and family purchase items that eventually found themselves re-gifted, stashed away, or even discarded. A sentiment echoed by many in Europe, the UK, and the US. The essence of gifting seemed lost.
I've always been drawn to stories of brands like TOMS, Thank You Australia, and Charity: Water. They made me realize the profound miracle of life and the responsibility we have in cherishing it. The idea that every one of us should contribute positively to our world became a cornerstone of my personal ethos. I wanted to redefine gift-giving to encapsulate this belief, making it not just an act of love, but also one of positive, tangible impact.
There's a raw, personal narrative behind this passion. When I was just 16, a domestic crisis forced my family to abandon our home. The trauma of that departure was somewhat assuaged by the sanctity of a bed & breakfast - a sanctuary for my family during turbulent times. It was far from ideal - cramped spaces, shared beds, and a distinct lack of privacy. But it was shelter. This episode taught me that the fabric of our lives can change rapidly. But, more importantly, it showed me the power of community and the collective efforts of organisations that step in when life takes a downward spiral.
Cauuuse emerged as a beacon in these learnings. It's a platform designed to amalgamate simple joys like sending cards and gifts with the act of bringing positive change. We aspire for complete transparency, ensuring that every giver and receiver acknowledges the tangible change they've effected. This isn't mere rhetoric; by collaborating with NGOs worldwide, we bypass traditional charity models, making sure every gift translates into actual action.
There have been challenges, undoubtedly. Convincing charities to alter their functioning was a non-starter. It was evident that to revolutionise charitable giving, we had to rewrite the rulebook, fostering connections with grassroots organizations and ensuring every penny leads to palpable change.
Two causes are especially dear to me: Water & Sanitation and Extreme Poverty. Inspired by giants like Charity: Water and Thank You Australia, they remain testament to what I want Cauuuse to achieve. Their founders, Scott Harrison and Daniel Flynn, respectively, embody the very spirit of transformative change I hope Cauuuse emulates.
My wish for you, dear reader, is that you realise that positive impact needn't be laborious. Our lives are a whirlwind of commitments, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But through Cauuuse, the simple act of giving to your loved ones can translate into global change. Let's redefine what it means to give, ensuring that every gift touches lives, changes destinies, and reiterates the profound beauty of our shared humanity.
