For the 95th thru 98th consecutive weeks, the Center for Peace & Conflict Studies has compiled a list of acts of kindness and peace. The initiative began as a response to COVID-19 and the racism pandemic but has broadened to include any act of compassion or service to others. Please share these stories. If you have stories of positive acts people/organizations are taking and you would like to share them, please email them to Brandon Miller at peacecenter@bsu.edu. All the stories starting from week 1 are available online. Additionally, you can follow the Peace Center on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) at bsu4peace.
Week 95
Strangers are Leaving Strollers, Diapers, and Toys at the Border for Ukrainian Refugee Moms
A few images on social media have been enough to inspire mothers across the country of Poland to rush to the border to aid Ukrainian refugees. Recently, a few images circulated showing empty strollers being left behind at train stations for mothers and children fleeing the war in Ukraine. This image reportedly spread like wildfire, inspiring a flood of donations at several train stations. According to ABC, people have taken a special interest in donating strollers, many being left with hand-written notes, from mother to mother. According to CNN, the donation effort has become much more organized over the last few weeks, many stations dedicating rooms to become relief and donation centers. Przemysl Station at the Medyka border crossing from Ukraine to Poland has reportedly become the center of the relief effort. Following the strollers, Polish mothers have also started donating other supplies, such as food, diapers, and clothes. Beyond supplies, people from across Europe have been seen waiting outside the train stations in cars, offering rides to refugees to wherever they need to go, be it a play to stay or to family.
Source: Good News Network –
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/strangers-are-leaving-strollers-diapers-and-toys-at-the-border-for-ukrainian-refugee-moms-look/
Airbnb and its Community Raise More Than $40 Million and Offers 150,000 Temp-Homes for Ukraine
Following the Ukraine refugee crisis, Good News Network reported that from March 2nd to March 3rd, over 61,000 nights were booked via Airbnb in various Ukrainian cities from around the world. A vast majority of these bookings were reportedly made with no intention of checking in or rescheduling, they were booked with the full intention of giving fleeing Ukrainians a place to stay. This sudden surge in bookings was part of a social media campaign attempting to channel funds into heavily affected cities in Ukraine where supply drops and relief efforts can’t otherwise reach. This movement saw $1.9 million raised for Ukrainians in 48 hours. Since March 3rd, over 434,000 rooms have been booked, with $15 million raised. Airbnb has responded to this movement, extending their gratitude and encouraging donations to their nonprofit branch, stating that they have already seen more than $5.2 million in small-dollar donations from over 92 countries. Airbnb has also set up temporary housing for over 100,000 Ukrainians across both Europe and North America in an attempt to match the generosity. The Utah Jazz Foundation has also partnered with the non-profit branch of Airbnb to provide temporary housing, totaling more than 32,200 nights of housing. In an effort to ensure a more comfortable stay for Ukrainians, more than $16,625,000 has been contributed by Airbnb employees to help fund aid for food and other necessities. One Airbnb co-founder appeared on Ellen DeGeneres to announce an additional $10 million donation towards the effort. Airbnb has stated that they were inspired by the reaction of their community and felt compelled to do their part.
Source: Good News Network –
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/update-airbnb-continues-amazing-aid-work-for-ukrainians/
Denver’s Program to Dispatch Mental Health Teams Instead of Police is So Successful it is Expanding 5-Fold
Starting in June of 2020, the city of Denver, Colorado started their Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) program, which worked to send medical and behavioral health clinicians to respond to low-risk calls as opposed to police. STAR responds to calls such as trespassing, intoxication, mental health crises involving poverty, homelessness, and addiction. STAR has already responded to over 2,200 low-risk calls, and has reportedly never failed to call for police back-up for safety concerns. Denver has announced that the pilot program has been a huge success and, in January of this year, the City Council unanimously agreed to allocate $1.4 million to expand the STAR program, including five additional vans, and the additional hiring of seven clinicians, four paramedics, and two emergency medical technicians. STAR’s advisory team, made up of 15 volunteers, hopes that with the additional vans, they can respond to over 10,000 calls a year. In addition to specialized help, STAR also works to save the city money. While STAR responds to low-risk, more crisis-focused calls, police are freer to handle high-risk calls, such as robberies or domestic violence calls. Denver residents can specifically request STAR assistance by calling their hotline, or by calling the Denver police non-emergency number.
Source: Good News Network –
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/denver-star-program-expands-in-2022/
Week 96
This Somali Refugee is Now the Director of the Clinic She Visited as a Child
Integrating into a new community as refugee poses a unique set of challenges. The cultural shock is huge and the experience itself can be daunting. With a strong and determined spirit however, all of these are surmountable and one can become an indispensable member of the community that they move into and provide an invaluable service to the community. Such is the story of Anisa Ibrahim who fled the violence and political unrest her home country of Somalia and sought refuge in neighboring Kenya when she was only 5 years old. After relocating to the United States Anisa and her family were patients at the Harborview Medical Center’s Pediatrics Clinic in Seattle. Two decades later, after successfully pursuing her medical degree, she serves as the Director of the Center. According to Anisa, most refugees when given time, space and opportunity could contribute positively to the places and the communities that they have been resettled in.
Source - https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/anisa-ibrahim-harborview-pediatrics
Daughter of Peace: Ilwad Elman is Creating Hope in Somalia
The story of Ilwad Elman is yet another one of refugees rising up against social challenges to inspire communities they live in and effect positive change and improve the living conditions in the former homes. Ilwad grew up in Canada and was largely disconnected with the situation back home. She was always curious however since she felt attached to Somalia even though they weren’t physically living there. Ilwad’s father, an engineer had been a community organizer who preached peace amid the conflict in Somalia. He helped to empower the underprivileged young people in Somalia. He encouraged and facilitated their access to education, offering employment and creating better livelihoods as an alternative to fighting in the civil war. After his assassination, his wife Fartun returned to Somalia to continue with his legacy and prompting Ilwad’s return as well. Ilwad decided to stay upon realizing the challenges that their mother faced in running the organization, especially the realization that the war was being used to silence women. Ilwad as part of her efforts has hosted educational workshops seeking to uplift vulnerable communities and implements projects aimed at promoting opportunities to create decent livelihoods.
Source - https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/ilwad-elman
Art is Helping Refugee Women Connect and Express Themselves
Art is a universal language that. The use of color and other materials to create forms and images that communicate cross-culturally is a concept that has been with us since the advent of time. For refugees, is well known that Art provides some form of therapy. Art provides a means of communication and self-expression and can is helpful in promoting good feelings and especially for people who have been traumatized. Most refugees rarely speak the language of their host countries making verbal communication a challenge. It is based upon this premise that a research collaboration that with Anglicare North coast Three E’s to freedom created a program to primarily foster community connections and create a space achieving personal goals. Established in 2016 and based in Australia, the program has supported women from across the world in creative programs through connecting them
with local communities through workshops and exhibitions. The initiative has gone a long way in shedding off the negative perceptions of asylum seekers and refugees held by many in host communities.
Source - https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/art-is-helping-refugee-women-connect-and-express-themselves
Week 97
Man Wins €200 Million on the European Lottery and Donates Almost All of It to Save the Earth
A European man has won a record-breaking amount of money in the lottery, and donated almost all of it; one can only think to ask, why? The European man is only known to be a retiree in southern France and has otherwise stayed anonymous. He won $200,000,000 in the EuroMillions Jackpot Lottery, the second largest sum to ever be won in that lottery. The man donated nearly the entire amount towards the preservation of West African tropical rainforests. Following his donation, he established the Anyama Endowment Fund, named after a town in Côte d’Ivoire, where he lived for many years. The man commented that he only ever plays the lottery for large jackpots, with the sole purpose of donating to his charity, for “the protection and revitalization of forests, the preservation and regeneration of biodiversity and the support of family caregivers.” He later commented how he has witnessed the “incessant passage” of trucks carrying timber to and from his home county, and how such inspired him to start the foundation. In one comment, the man gave the advice that “humans can preserve the nature environment if we want to—and that giving makes people more happy than having.”
Source: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/man-donates-e200-million-from-the-european-lottery-to-save-the-earth/
Queensland Continues to Transfer Millions of Acres of Wilderness Back to Aboriginals in Australia
Last week, the northern Australian state of Queensland purchased two cattle ranches, totaling 509 square miles, as a part of a program that seeks to return ownership of the land back to its indigenous people. According to Australia’s environment minister, the purchased land contains significant, and thankfully undisturbed, ecosystems, consisting of tropical rainforests, heathlands, warm savannahs, and freshwater ecosystems, and that all of it will become protected area. This was one of the largest and most significant purchases in Queensland history, linking close to a million hectares of protected land together. This specific purchase will be returned to the Wuthathi and Atambaya Peoples. Again according to Australia’s environment minister, this purchase will provide further opportunity to protect the Great Barrier Reef, as it contains two “catchment areas” that drain into the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. As the land will be federally protected, the catchments will be able to stabilize and Great Barrier Reef biodiversity will see further protection.
Source: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/queensland-transfer-millions-of-acres-of-wilderness-back-to-aboriginees/
Vancouver Couple Converts Their Huge Resort Property into a Ukrainian Refugee Home for Dozens
A Vancouver couple has put a hold on renovations on their 15,000 square-food, 81-acre nature resort to help those in need. In the midst of the Ukraine refugee crisis, the couple has renamed their nature resort as the “Ukrainian Safe Haven” and has a goal to house 100 people on their property. The couple reported that they already have close to 20 people booked and are hoping to see more in the near future. They stated that all refugees will be provided with food, education, transportation, and other assistance as the families try to get back on their feet. The couple has stated that the refugees are welcome to stay as long as they like, telling Global News Canada that they see the fleeing masses as “equivalent to their own people,” and that, as they are in a position to help, they feel it is their responsibility to do so.
Source: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/couple-converts-resort-property-into-ukrainian-refugee-home/
Week 98
Ukrainian Pysanky Eggs Help Make Peace and Raise Money for Ukraine
Ukrainian pysanky eggs, by legend, keep the world at peace. The eggs are painstakingly and elaborately decorated with beeswax and dye, and legend suggests that the more eggs people create, the more likely the world is to be a peaceful place to live. Stephanie Cheeseman grew up hearing these legends and decided to hold a pysanky-making workshop after Ukraine was invaded because she wanted to do something to make a difference. In exchange for a suggested donation of $20, Cheeseman teaches others how to make these eggs. Amazingly, her initiative raised $2700 that she is donating to aid Ukrainians affected by the war. “We just want to keep Ukraine in the hearts and minds of everyone as this year goes on because this is not a one-day battle. This is a siege. This is the Kremlin tring to turn Ukraine into rubble,” Cheeseman said. She sees teaching pysanky as not only a way to raise money for Ukraine but to keep Ukrainian traditions alive.
Source: The Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/03/30/ukraine-eggs-pysanky-easter/?utm_campaign=wp_the_optimist&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_optimist&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F367ed89%2F624b2f3279d9d21aa11a33be%2F5e4d74439bbc0f462514be64%2F14%2F54%2F624b2f3279d9d21aa11a33be
Gifts poured in when a Ukrainian Dad Wanted to Replace His Son’s Lost Legos
Andrii Sidorov, 11, fled Kyiv with his family following Russia’s invasion. In doing so, he had to abandon his cherished Lego collection. Andrii left with his younger brother and father, Igor, while his mother and two older brothers stayed in Ukraine to fight in the war. Andrii’s Legos had been his favorite pastime since he was a toddler. “My son starting building with Lego at 3 years old,” Igor said. “All the time he is making different toys.” Over years, Andrii had amassed a collection comprising thousands of pieces. In an effort to replace Andrii’s pastime, Igor appealed to social media for help. Within a day, numerous packages of Lego sets arrived at the hotel in Ireland where the family was staying. “There is Lego all around me. In the reception, in the room, everywhere,” Igor said. “Now, my kid has more Lego than before.”
Source: The Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/04/08/ukraine-ireland-lego-andrii-sidorov/?utm_campaign=wp_the_optimist&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_optimist&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F3688698%2F6252d57264253a7f3428500e%2F5e4d74439bbc0f462514be64%2F16%2F51%2F6252d57264253a7f3428500e
A Publix Employee and a Toddler Strike up a Friendship. A Video of Them Goes Viral
For years, Rachel Smith and her daughter, Fiona, have had a Saturday morning routine that involves a trip to their local Publix grocery store. When Fiona was a year old, she made a new friend during that ritual: Gilnet Sainvil, an employee at Publix. Each week, Sainvil would greet Fiona with a smile and a high five. Over the years, she came to know him as “High Five” – now 6, she still calls him that. When Fiona turned 3 in 2019, Sainvil bought her a pink bicycle. Eventually Sainvil was transferred to another Publix when the coronavirus pandemic hit, but the family stayed in touch with Sainvil. Recently, Smith, in a desire to spread some cheer, posted an old video to TikTok of Fiona giving Sainvil a thank you card for the bike. Within a few days, millions had viewed the video. As people fell in love with the story of the unlikely friendship, some viewers started suggesting that the Smiths set up a GoFundMe to raise money for a gift to surprise Sainvil. So that’s exactly what Smith did, and the total reached nearly $8000.
Source: The Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/04/06/publix-friendship-toddler-rachel-smith/?utm_campaign=wp_the_optimist&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_optimist&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F368869a%2F6252d57264253a7f3428500e%2F5e4d74439bbc0f462514be64%2F26%2F51%2F6252d57264253a7f3428500e