I used to think of giving in terms of how, when we’re young, we’re the ones who need support; as adults, we support ourselves; and once we’ve reached maturity and found our footing, perhaps we can share some of what we have with others.

But fortunately, I’ve learnt what a silly idea that is.

My name is Dóra. As a biologist, I am a laboratory manager at a company in Munich that develops medical diagnostic devices, which is part of one of the world’s largest printer manufacturers. As it is an international company, I have colleagues of many different nationalities. Some have fled the war in Ukraine, whilst others have come from Iceland, one of the safest places on earth. They all have their own reasons for giving. One of them knows what it’s like to go without, whilst others were taught to give to charity from a young age thanks to their country’s strong economy.

It was from them that I learnt how good it feels to give.

Once, shortly before Christmas, I went with some colleagues to distribute food to those in need. I thought I’d help out; giving a little would do some good. But I hadn’t expected how much I would receive in return. What I saw there was strangers feeling closer to one another, the faces of downcast people brightening up, and a kind of connection opening up between people who, under different circumstances, would never have spoken to one another. A strange kind of happiness settled over the place. It was magical. What happened there cannot be forgotten. It was life-changing. For me, certainly, and who knows how many others who were there.

Once we’d finished and I was on my way home, I felt a painful emptiness and wished it weren’t late at night and that the food distribution would go on a bit longer.

So I decided that I didn’t want to do anything else. I want to help others everywhere. However, I cannot and do not want to choose who should receive help. There is too much deprivation and too much economic inequality in the world.

As I have never been able to think small, I decided to become a pilot who delivers aid parcels to where they are needed.

I want to do something for the world to make it a slightly better place, with a little more love, so that I can be a channel for the love flowing through the world, of which there can never be enough.

My aim is to set up a foundation that uses cargo planes to deliver aid packages anywhere in the world.

To do this, I need to obtain a pilot’s licence. A multi-engine aircraft will be required to transport the parcels. The pilot’s licence costs around 4 million forints (€10,000) and can take 1.5–2 years to obtain. The course material is demanding, so I have reduced my working hours, which means a reduction in my salary and the depletion of my savings. This is why I need financial support. My current savings will cover my expenses for two years whilst working part-time.

I would like to receive financial support to cover the cost of my pilot training.

My dream is that, after the Red Cross, the world will come to recognise another symbol that will always represent help. The foundation’s symbol will be the white butterfly, because of the butterfly effect. A single small act of goodwill can have a huge impact on the lives of others on the other side of the world. The butterfly fluttered its wings at a food distribution in Munich, and who knows how far its impact will reach…

I am deeply grateful for all your help and hope that you too may experience the happiness I felt during the food distribution. I hope that one day I can be of help to you in return.