Help Siphelele raise money

Rather than a personal story, what I want to share here is a reflection on care, community, and why this fundraiser matters to me.

This initiative is a small act of care—something I’m doing because I believe we should look out for one another, even when we don’t fully understand what someone else is going through. That is at the heart of empathy. We’re often reminded to focus on ourselves first, to make sure we’re okay before reaching out. “You have to secure your own mask first,” as the saying goes. And sometimes, that makes sense. But other times, caring for someone else can be something small and simple—like sharing a cup of sugar with your neighbor. In this case, it’s offering what you can.

More and more, it’s becoming clear that meaningful change doesn’t come from the top down—it comes from people coming together. When challenges feel overwhelming or systems seem unresponsive, it’s easy to believe that people no longer have the power to create meaningful change. But that is not exactly true. Time and again, we’ve seen that collective care, mutual support, and shared purpose are what move us forward.

That’s why now is such a critical time to protect and strengthen the infrastructure we have to make a difference. That means funding institutions that uplift marginalized communities. It means spreading the message that community care matters. And it means seeing ourselves as part of communities of care—where we not only hold responsibility for one another, but where we can also turn to each other for care when we need it.

Of course, the sobering reality is that institutions committed to doing good are often underfunded—leaving them dependent on donations from individuals who, themselves, may not always be in a position to give. While it's hard to accept this system, it’s more pragmatic to acknowledge it as an imperfect but impactful mechanism for change. My motivation for this fundraiser comes from that recognition: that even within a flawed system, it remains within our reach to support the work that uplifts others. And the fact that when we come together—each doing what we can—we really do have the ability to make a difference.

Please donate to support: Sherbourne Health Centre, Sunshine Centres for Seniors, Women’s College Hospital Foundation, and the Pride and Remembrance Foundation.