Stories and news of the coronavirus outbreak can paint an uncertain picture of the future. But there are also acts of kindness like heartwarming community responses, care and support all around the globe, that have inspired thousands of others. In times of crisis, we show character ❤️
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These little, random acts of kindness can help bolster all of our well-being during this time, and to remind you that there’s still goodness out there. Of course, much of it is going on behind closed doors of hospitals and homes, and the anonymous. Hopefully, we can reinforce and encourage you with these 11 acts of kindness around the world!
P.S. Check out these 12 heartwarming news during this crisis to keep your spirits up too!
1. Giving out of free masks – by Singaporean students and a kind-hearted couple
Credit: Singapore Atrium Sale on Facebook
Two Singaporean students, Sheryl Goh, 18 and Vaishnavi Devan, 19 took the initiative to give out free masks on platforms such as Carousell and Reddit. They used $200 from their own savings to purchase the masks and said they planned to continue until they couldn't afford to anymore. In early February, a couple also offered free masks outside of their MRT station over a few days. The masks were purchased in Vietnam after they heard about the mask shortage in Singapore.
While some try to resell masks at exorbitant prices, these kind souls have used their money and energy to give them away to the community, to make a difference in people’s lives and spread kindness.
P.S. Here are some tips to boost your immunity during this period too!
2. Free food for healthcare workers in Singapore
Credit: Kopitiam
Since the COVID-19 outbreak started, the healthcare staff have been working hard with extended shifts, risking their lives to protect us. As a gesture of appreciation, there are some companies who have banded together to send free meals to hospitals and serve complimentary drinks - even as the industries are being battered by the pandemic. Eateries such as Pezzo Group, Old Chang Kee, Kopitiam and Wang Cafe were involved in such heartening initiatives.
Even small neighbourhood establishments like Deanna's Kitchen, T-Bob's Corner, OK Chicken Rice and AJ Delights as well as bakeries played a part as well. Such food and drinks will not only fill their bellies, but also warm the hearts of our unsung heroes who have worked so hard in recent weeks! We hope everyone will continue showing support to our country’s frontline heroes and those around the globe!
P.S. Keep calm and positive during this trying period with these 7 tips for every Muslim.
3. The #KitaJagaKita Initiative
Credit: Kitajagakita on Facebook
Since the pandemic, social media has been abuzz. In Malaysia, author Hanna Alkaf launched a movement to link kind-hearted people with organisations that are helping the underprivileged and those severely affected by the movement control order. This initiative was taken to social media with the hashtag #KitaJagaKita (We help us) to encourage Malaysians to come together. This has also led to the online community responding with the hashtag, thanking the medical workers for their service, and encouraging one another.
You can lend a helping hand and find out more from their website. Here are 10 other things you can help out with if you're in Malaysia!
4. Buying of basic necessities for the elderly in Singapore
Credit: Bob Rizuan on Facebook
During this tough period, there are underprivileged groups like the elderly and the poor who might be unable to head to supermarkets to get their groceries. But thankfully, some Singaporeans have started their own initiatives to provide groceries and basic necessities for these groups. One such individual is Bob Rizuan and his teammates, Zilah Bidin and Ghifari Md Razib Ibrahim, who rallied donations from the public to buy rations for the needy and elderly in Ghim Moh. The team also played a part in providing free meals to Malaysian workers who had been stranded by the movement control order. You can reach out to Bob Rizuan and his team via Facebook to find out how you can help!
P.S. Every cloud has a silver lining. Here are 8 life lessons we've learnt from the coronavirus.
5. Agrain 1-For-1 Movement
Credit: Agrain by HALE on Facebook
Agrain in Malaysia has recently launched a #1FOR1 movement, with the objective to provide support for the healthcare workers who tirelessly risk their lives. With every meal box donated, Agrain will also donate another box. In only a couple of days, as many as 600 boxes had been donated, and Agrain had donated an equivalent number of boxes. These meal boxes are delivered to staff in hospitals accommodating COVID-19 patients and those providing screening test services. You can also be part of the campaign, which runs till 14 April 2020. Such shows how collaborative efforts are more vital now than ever!You can visit their website for more information.
6. Various phone apps to help in one way or another
Credit: GoodHood.Sg on Facebook
Do you, or anyone you know, need groceries or food delivered while under quarantine?
Entrepreneur Nigel Teo in Singapore had developed a helpful app called GoodHood.Sg which is a ground-up initiative to connect neighbours as part of bringing back the kampung spirit in Singapore! In this app, you can offer, or request for help such as getting grocery runs while on a quarantine order, or even donate extra surgical masks to those at risk. The idea is to kickstart the simple actions of paying it forward among the neighbourhood and society. Time to download the app (Android | iOS), and help your neighbours do the same!
Elsewhere around the world, these kinds of apps are playing an increasingly important role especially for those who aren't able to leave their homes. An example is Nextdoor, a social networking service for neighbourhoods to support each other, from picking up medicine for neighbours, to intel on where to get essential items such as toilet paper. It's available across 11 countries such as Australia, Britain, Spain and the US. It is also being used as a platform to support local businesses doing heartwarming initiatives - including the collection of donations for food banks!
7. Solidarity for international friends working in Singapore
Credit: SMRT on Facebook
Displays of social solidarity have surfaced day by day. With the implementation of Malaysia's movement control since mid-March, many Malaysians who are working in Singapore were left without a place to call home. But there was a silver lining in the situation, as many came forward to help hand out essentials and even open up their homes for them to stay. For example, Ms Angela Chan posted on Facebook stating that her two extra bedrooms were open for fellow Malaysians who didn't have a roof over their heads during the movement control order - without charging a single cent! Several Singaporean companies have also secured temporary lodging for their Malaysian employees in hotels ?
8. Fitness instructor carries out free workout classes from a rooftop in Spain
In Seville, Spain, the citizens are not accepting quarantine as an excuse for not keeping fit and healthy. Unable to go to the gym or hold classes, a personal trainer carried out workout classes from a rooftop. This has prompted the neighbours to join and follow from their balconies! This unique initiative came after the World Health Organisation released health guidelines such as engage in healthy activities for those in quarantine.
9. Volunteers turned closed mosques in Iran into temporary shelters to sew face mask and prepare food packages
Life in Iran has come to a standstill, alongside mosques which had to be closed for prayers, but some have taken on a new purpose. Some volunteers in Iran extended a helping hand to sew face masks, and prepared food packages for the underprivileged families. Indeed, such acts have left us feeling hopeful and connected in these hard times.
10. Mobile Food Support for the elderly and quarantined in the United Kingdom
Credit: Guru Maneyo Granth Gurdwara UK on Facebook
While the infectious virus poses a major threat to the elderly, who are more at risk, there are extra initiatives taken by a Sikh community in Slough, England. This ‘Mobile Food Support’ service is run by mostly by youngsters, offering food essentials which are not only free but also healthy and nutritious!
11. People all over the world have coordinated times to cheer on and applaud medical professionals and unsung heroes battling the virus
In Spain, Ireland, Portugal and France, people from their homes joined in cheers and applause to show their gratitude to healthcare workers. The nationwide movements were coordinated through social media. Countries like Singapore and Malaysia have not been left out either. If you're in Singapore, at 8pm on 30 March, you might have heard of some applause from blocks around you. Titled as a clap for #SGUnited, the event garnered applause in appreciation for emergency services, cleaners, supermarket staff, and everyone else doing a part to keep the country safe.
In Malaysia, an interesting social media movement has emerged from a Kuala Lumpur apartment. The residents of Seasons Garden find ways to stand in solidarity with each other during the nationwide lockdown, with a little light show of their own. People from their balconies and windows started flashing their torchlights with a little music, just to bring a little joy and positivity during the crisis. And the lights will continue shining for many more nights to come.
With these uplifting examples of kindness and compassion of people around the world, and with this positive spirit, we will beat coronavirus. These are the stories that will remind us of how we the world came together as a community, regardless of race, religion or background. Do SHARE with us any other acts of kindness you know or any personal stories you have!