Acts of kindness make a difference
This time of year sees the intersection of several faith-based and secular events that give us time and cause for reflection.
In the space of just a few weeks, we are marking Easter, Cultural Diversity Week, Naw-Ruz - the Afghan and Persian New Years, the Hindu Navratri festival, Ramadan and the Passover.
At a time when war is raging in Ukraine, the Congo, Somalia and elsewhere across the globe and the increasingly frightening and imminent effects of climate change are driving unprecedented human displacement, these dates are opportunities to contemplate the rich diversity of the human race and also what unites us.
One of the things that does unite us are acts of kindness; and I have witnessed a few recently.
There’s the ‘Food Next Door’ program in Mildura which see farmers donate unused farmland to refugee families to enable them to grow traditional foods and at the same time boost their opportunities to become a part of the community and forge links into the wider community.
It’s an inspirational program that is making a real difference in people’s lives.
I also read what former AMES client and Afghan evacuee Khalid Amiri told the ABC in an interview this week about his encounter with a couple in a supermarket.
"There was an Australian couple and they asked me where we are from and I said, 'We're from Afghanistan',” Khalid said.
“They said, ‘Don’t worry, please get whatever you want to get, fill your trolley. We are here to pay for your bill’,” he said.
Also, this week I was honoured to attended Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp’s Iftar dinner marking the start of Ramadan.
I was moved by her words as she spoke about respect for all the importance of learning. Her obviously heartfelt words of welcome had a clear impact on people present and spoke volumes about the celebration of diversity in our community.
This year’s Cultural Diversity Week showed how far we have come in acknowledging our rich diversity with so many events and celebrations.
Small acts of kindness may seem inconsequential in a chaotic and divided world, but multiplied across the whole of humanity, they might just make a difference.
Cath Scarth, AMES Australia CEO
3 April, 2023