The first years of 2015 carried out a random act of kindness earlier this year and presented it at the first quarterly apple awards this year. They challenged us, the 2nd years, to do the same. We were tasked with finding a way to show kindness to the less fortunate. We identified a hospice situated in the National Hospital called Sunflower Hospice which houses and cares for children from 12 years and below who are ill. The hospice currently gives palliative care to 15 children with different ailments, the most common illnesses being HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Cancer and mental illnesses. The hospice receives no government funding and relies solely on donations from the general public.
As the second years, we each contributed money and used that money to buy snacks for the children and we baked cupcakes for them as well. We went to visit them on a Friday afternoon and decided to brighten up their day with treats and balloons. The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves with us and they enjoyed taking pictures with us and playing with us. They also sang a few songs for us that their caregivers had taught them. This experience was very emotional and touching to all of us as we saw what it means to give of yourself and your time truly. We then decided to extend our random act of kindness to the rest of Newtons to help collect basic food supplies for the hospice. We sent out a list of the main supplies that the hospice needs to all staff members and placed a box in Thelma’s office where anyone can drop off any items that they wish to contribute to the hospice. To help with collecting more supplies we held a soup sale and the profits made were used for the hospice.
Thank you to all the second years for taking the time to be a part of this, for their kindness, compassion, empathy and most of all willingness to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.
Written by: Siseko
