Steemit Engagement Challenge S9-W3: "Kindness that changed my life"

created with canva

The little but powerful word "kindness" has been abused overtime. However, thousands are still portraying its true definition. While I share the opinion that no one should be forced to express any act of kindness, the one showing kindness should carry on with the view never to receive a payback.

---

What was the act of kindness that impacted your life?

---

Just around the third quarter of 2022, I overheard a group of young girls having a sensitive conversation. I was touched, I couldn't resist moving closer to them. I had them explain what was bothering them. It might interest you to know that these girls have been going through some terrible ordeal, in managing their menstrual flow. They gave comments like:

"I know it's not healthy, but I use pieces of old clothes during my period".

"My monthly flow comes but I have nothing to manage it with".

"At my age, I can't use sanitary pads".

"Sanitary pads are for the rich kids and ladies".

Those were the various responses I got from those girls. I was moved to tears, I immediately contacted a few of my colleagues and almost at the spot we organized a project to provide free sanitary pads for those children. Well, at the time, we were all students and didn't have much financially to render so we were limited.

Here is where the act of kindness really comes in. We contacted a very compassionate woman. Upon hearing our story, she immediately and single handedly offered to support the project with 250 sanitary pads for those children. She offered us Dettol, antiseptic soaps, panties, pant dryers, and tissue papers to give to these needy children.

Someone who doesn't even know the background of these children, someone who has nothing to gain from such acts of kindness, single handedly offered to sponsor a great part of our project. Others no doubt offered a helping hand. I was just so impressed by such generosity she displaced.

Donated pads!

---

What were the emotions you were feeling at that time?

---

I'd call it mixed emotion. I was literally teary when those sanitary pads were distributed to those children. I imagined myself I'm their situation and I could only imagine the Joy I would have received if I were in their shoes.

presenting the pads to the students who were very happy to receive.

I was very happy that this act of kindness put a lot of smiles on the faces of these children.

---

How did that act impact you? (financially, emotionally, etc.)

---

Initially I was bothered as to how I and my team will carry out this project, like I said we were very limited financially.

It felt like a heavy load lifted off my shoulders at the time when this act of kindness was shown.

Mentally, I was relieved of the overthinking and anxiety of how to help those kids.

generous ladies and I

Emotionally, it relayed on me, the need to reciprocate such kindness.

---

What are the lessons you learned from that incident?

---

📌You do not need be related or share the same background with an individual to display kindness.

📌Kindness doesn't always expect a payback, it's done wilfully.

📌Always be expressive, if those kids hadn't shared their problems, there wouldn't have been an act of kindness displayed to them.

📌Approach problems, I paid a listening ear to those girls concerns and pressed on to help them.

---

Did it change your perspective on kindness and the way you treat others?

---

I will say an affirmative yes!!! It definitely changed my perspective, I saw kindness displayed in its true sense. I had always thought kindness isn't for free, but this which I witnessed made me see kindness as a genuine act which doesn't really mean having the world to demonstrate.

I'm moved to show kindness to people anywhere I find them as far as it's in my ability to do so.

---

Did you manage to pass it forward by showing kindness to others? How?

---

in a recent free health campaign

Yes, I was charged to reciprocate kindness in my little way.
Recently after that outreach, I organized a health awareness campaign where drugs were distributed to many including elderly women in my school.

I'll like to invite:
@jereblak
@kay-owobia
@wilmer1988 to join the challenge