"Look for the Helpers": Kindness, Compassion and Service All Over the World

published February 9, 2021

Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay

by Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.org

In the midst of all of the political tension and continuing stressors of the pandemic, I thought everyone could use some positive news. And as a former English teacher, I know many of you are always looking for short reading passages to share with your students.

So here are real-life stories of people from a wide range of ages and backgrounds performing simple acts of decency and extraordinary acts of generosity. 

Helping During the COVID Pandemic

• Afghan All-Girls Robotics Team Designs Low-Cost Ventilator to Treat Coronavirus Patients

• English Plumber Has Helped 10,000 Families for Free During Pandemic

• Indian Man Provides Free Rice to Migrant Workers Impacted by the Pandemic

•  Irish University Received Anonymous Donation to Support PhD Students Impacted by the Pandemic

• The Pebbles Project in South Africa serves over 1 million meals during COVID

• South Korea Sends 10,000 Masks to Navajo Nation to Honor Their Service as 'Code Talkers' in WWII

• 13-Year-Old Boy in the U.S. Raises $6000 to Provide Christmas Presents to Children in Shelter

• U.S. City Feeds the Hungry with Fresh Foods While Saving Local Businesses and Farms

Environment and Animals

• Australian Children Bake 'Bogong Biscuits' to Help Endangered Pygmy Possums

• Community in Thailand Turns Discarded Plastic Bottles Into Monks' Robes

• 11-year-old Australian girl rescues shark trapped by tide

• Five South African Children Walked Miles to Rescue a Scared and Neglected Dog

• Malaysian 'Papa Bear' Helps Vulnerable Sun Bears

• Stranded Kenyan Giraffes Rescued by Community-Built Rafts

• Turkish 'Grandfather' of Homeless Animals Graduates from Veterinary Program

Intergenerational Support

• Austrian Grandmothers Run Community Bakery

• Canadian Teen Gives Up Own Make-A-Wish to Help Other Kids

• 5-Year-Old in U.S. Writes 200 Cards for Seniors

• Irish 9-Year-Old with Rare Disease Receives 1,000 Birthday Cards

• 10-year-old British boy sleeps in tent to raise money in honor of his late neighbors

• Scottish Corner Store Gives Away Necessities to Seniors Prepping for COVID quarantine

• Volunteers in New Zealand Help New Mothers

• Young People Are Befriending Lonely Seniors Across the UK by Volunteering as Storytellers

I found many of these at Good News Network and by searching online for good news from different parts of the world. Try it any time you need a smile.

If you like these types of stories, also be sure to check out the following posts:

Change the World Song Playlist

Creative Ways to Make a Difference Video Playlist

Inspiring Videos of Service to Humanity

Inspiring Videos of Young People Serving the World

Resources for Practicing and Teaching Kindness and Compassion

And there are hundreds more posts here at Mindful Teachers with:

Resources for Teaching Mindfulness and Compassion 

and 

Self-Care Resources for Educators and Other Helping Professionals