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“If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.” -- Chinese Proverb
Hello everyone! This week our stories remind us that no action taken with loving kindness is too small. A young Ethiopian boy of 5 begins to crochet and, ten years later, he has used the funds he made to help support the orphanage where he was adopted from and provide essential resources to 2,000 children in his birth village. One young boy and his love of crochet has impacted thousands. It’s remarkable what we are capable of achieving; the lives that are touched, and the ripples that extend out when loving kindness and compassion are present. Wishing you all the best and a week of happiness.
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Jonah's Hands | Instagram
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Meet Jonah Larson, a remarkable 15-year-old crocheting prodigy who is using his talents to make a difference in the lives of Ethiopian children in need. Despite crocheting being typically associated with older generations, Jonah has honed his skills since the age of 5, aspiring to become a surgeon in the future. Known as "Jonah's Hands" online, he has gained a substantial following on social media. What sets Jonah apart is his selfless nature. He not only donates his handmade creations but also contributes the profits from their sale to Roots Ethiopia, a nonprofit based in Wisconsin that supports the Ethiopian orphanage where Jonah was adopted from. His GoFundMe campaign has raised over $48,000, with half going directly to the organization. The remaining funds will finance his trip back to his birth village, support his crochet business, and contribute to his future education. Jonah's philanthropic efforts have already made a significant impact. With the help of his supporters, he has provided essential resources to 2,000 children in his birth village, including a library, science lab, restroom facilities, and classroom desks. Looking ahead, he plans to establish a soccer team for the children, providing them with uniforms, shoes, and soccer balls. Jonah's altruism has been recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, which honored him with a William R. Simms Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy. Despite his remarkable achievements, Jonah humbly believes that anyone can make a difference with a giving heart, starting with something as simple as a ball of yarn and a crochet hook.
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Canada Post
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Nellie Cournoyea, who was the first Indigenous female premier in Canada, is the face of a new stamp issued by Canada Post. Cournoyea, now 83, led the Northwest Territories from 1991 to 1995 and spent a total of 16 years as an MLA. She was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2008."Nellie Cournoyea is known for the unwavering vision, work ethic and heart that have guided her fight for Indigenous self-determination and Inuit empowerment," Canada Post said. It held a ceremony in Ulukhaktok (formerly known as Holman) to mark the launch of the stamp, which is one of three featuring Indigenous leaders that will be formally released on June 21, 2023.
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Pixabay | Pexels
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Eight people in Rotterdam, Netherlands, who are struggling to make ends meet will get €1,000 a month for a full year on top of their regular income as part of a continuing experiment by private foundation Stichting Collectief Kapitaal. While freelancers and people on zero hours contracts are encouraged to apply, the experiment is open to everyone with a low income. Candidates will be chosen by lottery. The foundation wants to find out what having the extra money means for people's lives. "In particular, we want to know what changes in you as a person if you don't have to justify yourself all the time," said spokesman Jet De Nies. Funding for the experiment has come from donors and is tax free for participants. Some 830,000 people in the Netherlands are currently thought to be living below the poverty line, including 6.7% of the country's children.
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Jackson Simmer | Unsplash
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Choosing kindness over judgment: Rather than being penalized for not paying her parking fees, a young mother receives money to take care of her baby! A story of simple, yet powerful compassion, showing how our world could change if we all embraced Judge Caprio's approach. He used the money sent to him by people who wanted to help, to support and encourage the young lady, but also to inspire her to work hard and succeed, so she could, one day, pay it forward. With tears in her eyes, overwhelmed by such unexpected generosity, she promises to do just that. And the world is that much better for this beautiful act of kindness.
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King of Kings Foundation Website
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A New York-based nonprofit, the King of Kings Foundation, is taking a community-based approach to combat gun violence by deploying "credible messengers" who have personal experience with the challenges faced by at-risk youth. Founded by Lance and Todd Feurtado, former gang members themselves, the organization aims to educate young people about the dangers of guns, drugs, gang violence, and lack of education. Following the "Cure Violence" model, the foundation treats violence as a public health issue and focuses on three key objectives: detecting and interrupting potential violence, changing the behavior of individuals prone to violence, and altering group norms that perpetuate violence. Through their outreach work, the foundation's trained "violence interrupters" engage directly with youth to prevent conflicts from escalating into dangerous situations. By establishing relationships built on trust and credibility, the foundation fosters a sense of community ownership and support. They also provide assistance to families affected by gun violence, helping to deescalate conflicts and offering emotional support. The King of Kings Foundation believes that it takes the collective effort of a neighborhood, community, and village to raise a child, and they strive to be that village for at-risk youth, providing guidance, education, and resources to promote safer and healthier lives.
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