Everyday, there are people who need help. People find themselves in terrible situations that they can't get out of on their own. Most times they require help. It could be our friends, acquaintance, relative or even a stranger.
Carrying out acts of kindness are important, especially when we see people who need help. We don't necessarily need to wait for them to ask. Seeing someone who needs help, and going all out to help them, especially when we have the means, can go a long way in changing that person's life.
I understand that we can't help everyone, but it's always good to help out the people you can, in the little way you can.
Back in school, there was a particular act of kindness that never left my memory. This one was special because it was a collective act of kindness. A classmate had been struggling with school. He was a really nice person. Everyone liked him. He was always jovial and free with everyone.
That particular semester, we noticed he wasn't always present. He missed classes and a few tests. It was unlike him. I was really concerned about him and I knew that I wasn't the only one concerned. It was medical school. We knew what was at stake for him. If he kept missing classes, tests and even clinical rotations, he would be in a lot of trouble academically.
After much enquiry, we learnt that his father was sick. His father, who was the breadwinner of the family was at the hospital. All his attention was channeled to his father and the struggling family. They were barely trying to keep up with the hospital bills. As a result, he wasn't able to pay his tuition fees.
The school had a system. If you don't pay your tuition fees, you won't be able to register courses, and consequently, you won't be able write exams. The semester was almost drawing to an end, he still hadn't paid his school fees. He needed help, but he was too shy to ask.
As a class, we decided to help. We couldn't stand by and watch our classmate repeat a session because he wasn't able to pay his tuition fees. We all knew how depending and hectic school was. It would be terrible for him to repeat for no fault of his. We met as a class, and we all agreed that each of us would contribute a certain amount of money on his behalf.
Everyone willingly and gladly contributed quickly. Some even donated more money. So It was the best display of kindness and unity I had ever seen. I was proud that I was part of such a class. We raised enough money to pay his tuition fees and take care his upkeep for the semester.
He broke down in tears when it was all presented to him. It was so much love shown to him and it was overwhelming. He was grateful.
Personally, I felt really good knowing that I helped in saving someone's academics. That's what acts of kindness give to you. It's always a great feeling knowing that you've had an immense positive effect on someone just by your display of kindness.
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