We are the World Blogfest (#WATWB) focuses on positive stories no matter where they’re found. It is all about spreading peace and humanity on social media.
The last few weeks have been tough on all of us–the covid pandemic has spread across the world, disrupting life and launching us all into uncertainty. This leads to anxiety, as we discovered in some of the comments to my last post on covid–and a heartwarming initiative has been started to address this. Today in the spirit of “In times of darkness be the light,” I share this heartening Covid story about The Goodwill Tribe:
“Their latest initiative is called Letters in the time of Corona, a digital version of their traditional letter writing format. The initiative was suggested by Nivendra Uduman, one of their volunteers from Sri Lanka. “We are delivering letters of love, hope, and support. If you know someone who is having it rough because of the pandemic, you can request a bundle of letters for them,” explains Sonia. This could be anyone who is anxious about the future, has lost their job, is finding it difficult to cope with social isolation, needs words of reassurance… In fact, one could request letters for themselves too. All one needs to do is fill up a form that is available on their Facebook and Instagram pages and share details about the person, their story and what they are going through. …..
There is also a form for those who wish to enrol as a volunteer and write these letters. Volunteers from each chapter then respond to requests sent from people across the world. Starting in Dubai, The Goodwill Tribe is now present in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Nagpur, Goa, Delhi, Sydney and Kuwait. Some of their members engage with them virtually from London, Germany and other parts of the world.
“We let the volunteers read the stories and respond to those they connect with,” says Sonia. The letters being sent out are heartfelt, filled with positivity and love.”
It is heartwarming to see initiatives like this one. While we must do more to assist those who have no livelihoods at the moment (check out genuine and effective Covid fundraisers here and here if you wish to contribute), it is also essential that we reach out to those who need emotional reassurance. If you see yourself as someone who wants to reach out with compassion and insight, you can fill up this form to start sending out validation and cheer in these Covid times.
What about you? What uplifting stories of humanity in action or human connection have you seen during the Covid pandemic? Would you like to volunteer to write letters for The Goodwill Tribe? If you know of anyone who would appreciate these letters of hope in the Covid times, you can request them HERE.
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This post was the latest installment of the monthly We Are the World Blogfest: I’d like to invite you to join, if you haven’t as yet, to post the last Friday of each month a snippet of positive news that shows our essential, beautiful humanity.
This month’s co-hosts, Eric Lahti, Susan Scott, Dan Antion, Inderpreet Kaur Uppal, and yours truly, welcome participants and encourage all to join in.
Here’s a sampler of this blogfest. Click HERE to know more. Sign up HERE and add your bit of cheer to the world on the next installment. If you're already part of the blogfest, add your post link HERE.
My debut literary crime novel,”You Beneath Your Skin,” published by the fab team at Simon and Schuster IN is making its way into the world.
It is available in India here.
Worldwide, here.
Reviews are appreciated–please get in touch if you’d like a review copy.
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This is gorgeous!! I’m actually sending letters to my friends or acquaintances…
Hi Damyanti – reaching out to others is so important and helps people realise they’re not alone. I did for my mother … so she got lots of cards and letters in – over the 5 years … really helped I think … and kept me in touch with many relatives and friends. An excellent initiative … take care and stay safe – Hilary
Thanks, Hilary. Letters and cardsdo help, because they’re tangible proof of our connection to others. I’ve written my first letter for the initiative. Let’s see what the days bring.
That’s a very thoughtful and beautiful initiative. I love it when people come up with compassionate ideas in troubled time. I would be touched if I receive letters like this. Thanks for sharing this positive news.
You’re so right when you say that taking care of our spiralling anxiety and all the other strong emotions is an important part of taking care of ourselves and others. Thank you for this link Damyanti.
Yes, self-care is important in these crazy times.
Great idea! In the midst of all this, human contact of any sort is so important. People in the States have been putting teddy bears in their windows, leaving chalk messages on sidewalks, all manner of creative things. Our Kenpo school went completely online, posting videos on Facebook. Kind of amazing how clever we can all be when we have the time to be creative.
Thanks for sharing!
Human connection is so important, and you’re right, we’re able to innovate so well in times of crisis.
What a wonderful idea. There are so many people being kind and creative and going out of their way to remind people that they are cared for and important and not alone. Great feel-good post, Damyanti. 🙂 Be well.
Thanks Diana. Hope all is well with you. Stay safe.
What a lovely initiative and I’m delighted to hear of its scope. I’ve dedicated my current 100DaysProject to creating a bit of art daily, and then including it in a letter I send out. Kindness and finding ways to connect, and just letting people know they are thought about and cared for seems like such an important thing now.
A fine idea! Thanks for sharing, Damyanti. Happy Friday!
That’s a great idea. It is pleasing to see many examples of community help and kindness.
Oh Damyanti,
I so agree that people need extra love, prayers and support during this time of crisis. I thought some of your followers might find comfort and a much needed uplift from an anthology of six inspiring, uplifting stories they can get for FREE at: www:tales2inspire.com/gifts/ (People often compare these stories to the Chicken Soup For the Soul series, but find them a bit more powerful due to the inclusion of original photos to enhance their power. ) Hope this hels a few of your followers.
Lois W. Stern
Creator of Tales2Inspire®
🌺🌺🌺
Thanks, Lori. We all need encouragement and support during these times.
Thanks for sharing this lovely initiative, Damyanti. How thoughtful and necessary to reach out to folks suffering from loneliness on top of so many other deprivations.
Yes, we all need emotional sustenance as well as physical.
Great idea thanks Damyanti … imagine an outpouring of reaching out in love and care …
Yes, and to the ones who need it most. Human connection is a wonderful thing.
What a wonderful idea it is.i will definitely volunteer to write those letters
Cool, Suhasini! I’m all signed up 🙂
You promote some very good ideas. I find that telephoning neighbours during this lockdown period to just let them know someone cares is another approach. 🙂 Older single people are particularly in need of reassurance. 🙂
Yes, always a good thing to reach out to elderly neighbours and friends. We’re doing that wherever we can.