- Written by Chaitali Verma
With a global pandemic on our head and most of us in lockdown, it can be a bit depressing, especially watching the news as things get worse and more people to fall victim to the coronavirus. However, in a world so colourful and bright with people so unique and kind, not all is dark and gloomy. Here are some stories and initiatives of love, kindness and hope that are sure to warm your heart!
Neighbours sing ‘Happy Birthday’ for an 80-year-old woman
Amid the lockdown in Spain, neighbours of an 80-year-old woman placed a cake outside her door and sang ‘Happy Birthday to her from afar. In the video clip, a man can be seen placing the cake at her door, stepping back to a safe distance and calling out her name, ‘Charo’. In the footage, she fought back tears as the neighbours sang for her and waved at everyone through the window and thanked them.
The video has been viewed over half a million times.
Teddy Bears popping up around neighbourhoods
In Canberra, Australia, several people are placing teddy bears outside their balconies, windows and gates to distract little children from the gloomy atmosphere of the coronavirus. While maintaining social distance, children can essentially play a game of spotting the toys while they go on short walks with their parents among the neighbourhood. This trend has begun in Melbourne too and part of the United States too. These stuffed animals are also creating a sense of safety in communities and ensuring people that their neighbours have their backs.
Though nobody is sure of how it began, it is supposedly inspired by a book called ‘Going on a Bear Hunt’ by Micheal Rosen and Helen Oxenbury.
‘Adopt a Healthcare Worker’ Initiative
Started by Chris Nicholas from Perth, Australia, this Facebook initiative is encouraging and helping people to find healthcare worker who they can help and assist. Since the medical system is under great pressure due to the virus, healthcare workers are swamped with work and unable to buy the necessary groceries, prepare meals, look after their children etc. The adoptees are essentially expected to help out in such situations and extend a helping hand however appropriate to lift off some weight from their shoulders.
The group has attracted more than 5,5000 members willing to help out.
Singing sorrows away
The Ancient Romans lived by the phrase, “Dum vita est, spes est” (While there is life, there is hope), and that is what the Italians are choosing to live by in these trying times. Every day as the clock strikes 6:00 in the evening, many people in the Roman neighbourhoods open their windows and sings classic Italian songs with their neighbours. The volume is turned up and the dancing begins. This tradition has now become essential to many’s daily routines and gradually spread across Italy.
In Siena, a touching video clip has gone viral around the world showing people of a neighbourhood singing a traditional folk song together in the darkness while in quarantine. There is now an official citywide singing programme at 21:00 every night called Siena Canta (Siena Sings), where residents chant out of their windows to raise donations for emergency responders and the Siena hospital.
Zomato Feeding India
As the numbers of coronavirus patients increase each day and India comes under a nation-wide lockdown, about 450 million daily wage workers are battling hunger with their families. Run by the food delivery and restaurant info app as a CSR project, Zomato Feeding India has initiated the ‘Feed the Daily Wager’ initiative in order to address this issue and ensure that lesser people go hungry during this lockdown.
The food delivery company aims to provide ration kits to the daily wage workers who are currently unable to support their families through this initiative. Ration kits containing wheat flour or rice, two types of pulses and a bar of soap required for a family of 5 for one whole week have been prepared. The cost of each kit is around Rs 500 which will be delivered to various locations across 26 cities.
They need total fund support of Rs 25 crores from the donors of which Rs 9 crores have already been collected.
Delhi Govt. Issues Feeder Passes For Feeding Stray Animals
As we remain within the comfort of our homes, the stray animals suffer outside. Feeding stray dogs is a customary practise among many people in India but with the roads completely empty of and nobody to feed them, many of these animals may starve to death as their daily good supply is restricted. Keeping this in mind, the Delhi Government is now allowing people to collect feeder passes so that they can step out and feed them.
The passes can be taken from the district DCP office operating in each area.
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