Swandeh Terhide

After years of relentless efforts, UNICEF has successfully prevented the collapse of two-thirds of Afghanistan’s healthcare system. The initiative, primarily focused on rural areas, has been monumental, employing 28,000 full-time healthcare workers and physicians, alongside 32,000 volunteers. Together, they manage 96 fully equipped hospitals and 2,400 rural healthcare centers, some of which are as modest as a single room. Despite their size, these facilities have made a significant impact, particularly for vaccinations, childbirth, and routine checkups, while also fostering better medical practices among rural populations traditionally resistant to change. UNICEF stepped in after Afghanistan’s medical system collapsed in 2021, sustaining critical healthcare services despite severe financial constraints, as no funds can be transferred into the country’s financial institutions. Since the program’s inception, 2.2 million babies have been born in UNICEF-supported facilities, marking a 20% increase since 2019. Afghanistan’s rugged terrain, shaped by 40 years of war, poses immense challenges for both healthcare providers and recipients. In remote regions like Nuristan and Ghor, families live in terraced villages along valley sides, often requiring hours of hiking to access clinics. The 32,000 volunteers bridge this gap, delivering essential medical services to these isolated communities and demonstrating the value of modern medicine to skeptical populations. UNICEF has shared stories of lives transformed through these efforts. For instance, Safina’s village now has a health post that assisted her in delivering three children, while Roqia, a two-year-old diagnosed with polio, was carried by her grandfather over treacherous mountain paths to receive life-saving care after being advised by a UNICEF community health worker. These firsthand experiences are pivotal in encouraging others, particularly men, who are often reluctant to seek medical care for minor issues. In rural settings, however, minor ailments can quickly escalate, making the role of community health workers critical in promoting early intervention and preventive care. Today, more than half of Afghanistan’s population benefits from basic medical services through UNICEF-supported programs, with three-quarters receiving hospital-level care, primarily for women and children.

Hayden Carlo, a 25-year-old father living in Plano, Texas, was pulled over by a police officer for driving with an expired registration sticker. Struggling to make ends meet, Carlo explained to the officer that he had faced a heartbreaking choice: renew his car registration or buy food for his wife and two small children. With no excuse to offer, he admitted his financial difficulties openly. The officer issued him a citation, but what happened next left Carlo overwhelmed. When he opened the ticket, he discovered a $100 bill tucked inside. Overcome with emotion, Carlo broke down in tears in his car. The anonymous officer never publicized his act of kindness, but Carlo’s grandfather, Billy McIntire, was so touched by the gesture that he wrote a letter to the police department to express his gratitude. The unexpected gift allowed Carlo to update the registrations on both his car and his wife’s car. It also helped him secure a new job and better provide for his family during tough times. Reflecting on the experience, Carlo shared how it restored his faith in humanity and God: “He helped me out when I needed it, and I appreciate that. I’ll never forget that man.”

From Lantana, Florida, comes the inspiring story of Jakob Thompson, a brave 17-year-old who rescued a woman caught in the fast-moving currents of a canal leading to the Atlantic Ocean. His heroic act earned him the prestigious Carnegie Hero Award and a full scholarship to the Boynton Fire and Rescue Academy, supporting his dream of becoming a firefighter. The incident occurred in December 2023 at the Boynton Beach Inlet, known as South Florida’s most dangerous due to its rapid currents. A woman was spotted struggling in the water, and without hesitation, Thompson removed his shirt and dove in. Swimming 80 feet, he secured the exhausted woman around his waist and powered back to safety against the strong current. CBS 12 News reported that the woman remained calm during the rescue, allowing Thompson to focus on bringing her to shore. Reflecting on the moment, he said, “I just swam as fast as I can to get her. By the time I got to her… she was very tired from struggling.” The rescue was captured on video by bystander Maria Gutierrez and widely shared on social media. It caught the attention of Sarah Perry, a local resident whose son Aden tragically died trying to save someone from drowning years earlier. Perry manages the Aden Perry Good Samaritan Scholarship Fund, which rewards students for acts of heroism. She was moved by Thompson’s actions and surprised him with a scholarship during his visit to a Boynton Beach fire station. The scholarship covers all expenses for his firefighter training—a dream Thompson had long pursued. Months later, Thompson received further recognition with the Carnegie Medal from the Carnegie Hero Fund, awarded to civilians in the U.S. and Canada who risk their lives to save others. He joined 17 other recipients honored in 2024. The medal bears a verse from John 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Since its inception in 1904, over 10,000 Carnegie Medals have been awarded, with about 20% given posthumously. Despite these accolades, Thompson remains humble about his actions: “Putting my life out there to help somebody came with a reward, but I was never looking for one.”

In Colorado, a courageous three-year-old boy named Bridger Peabody overcame his fear of the dark to save his great-grandmother, Sharon Lewis, in a critical moment. Lewis, 77, who has mobility issues, fell on a concrete step, suffering a severe concussion. With her phone left in the car, Bridger was her only hope for help. Despite his fear, he bravely retrieved the phone from the car, allowing them to call for emergency assistance. Lewis required 22 staples for her head injury and has since hailed Bridger as a hero, though he modestly insists his name is just Bridger. Bridger’s actions were remarkable, especially considering his fear of the dark. As he went to get the phone, he encouraged himself by saying, “Don’t be scared, don’t be scared.” After successfully retrieving the phone, he celebrated with a triumphant “Yay, I did it!” Bridger’s bravery was inspired by his favorite show, Paw Patrol, where he aspires to be as brave as the puppies. Lewis’s gratitude for Bridger’s heroism is immense, and she affectionately refers to him as her hero, though he remains humble about his actions. This incident points to the extraordinary courage and resilience that can be found even in the youngest of souls when they’ve been clearly taught how  to be there for others.

A British grocery store delivery driver, Leandro Pinto Dantas, saved a woman’s life in the coastal town of Poole, southern England. When she failed to answer the door, he sensed something was wrong and decided to take a closer look through the window. Initially, everything seemed normal with the lights and TV on, but after knocking and calling the contact number without a response, he felt compelled to check again. This time, he spotted the woman lying unconscious on the floor. He immediately called for an ambulance, and paramedics administered glucose to stabilize her low blood sugar due to diabetes. Leandro wasn’t originally scheduled to work that evening but had swapped shifts at the last minute. He believes it was fate that led him to be there and help her. While emergency services attended to the woman, Leandro took care of her groceries. A few days later, he visited her with flowers. The woman, in her 60s, was hospitalized for low blood pressure but discharged the next day. She expressed deep gratitude to Leandro in a letter to the local newspaper, praising his actions as going far beyond what she expected from a delivery driver. Leandro’s heroic actions have earned him a nomination for an Asda ‘Service Superstar’ award. His employer praised his instinct and dedication, stating that his actions likely saved the customer’s life.

In an inspiring display of integrity, two drivers from Benue Links, a prominent Nigerian transport company, have been commended for returning valuable lost phones to their rightful owners. First Incident: Mr. Terlumun Apuu While driving from Makurdi to Abeokuta, Mr. Apuu discovered an iPhone 13 left behind in his vehicle after dropping off passengers in Akure, Ondo State. Despite the phone having no SIM card or contacts, it was accompanied by a receipt showing a purchase price of ₦630,000. Following company protocols, Mr. Apuu reported the phone to Benue Links’ customer care. Shortly after, Mr. Iloakasia Williams, the MD/CEO of Maddonna Guest House in Makurdi, contacted the company to report a missing phone. After verifying ownership by unlocking the device and providing a duplicate receipt, the phone was returned to Mr. Williams, who was overjoyed. The Assistant General Manager of Benue Links praised Mr. Apuu’s honesty, noting that the company’s efforts to strengthen customer trust were yielding positive results. Second Incident: Mr. Victor Jam On March 13, 2025, while traveling from Ibadan to Gboko, Mr. Jam found a Samsung phone. The phone belonged to Mr. Jimoh from Ajaokuta in Kogi State, who had unknowingly dropped it while assisting a neighbor on his motorcycle. Upon reaching Gboko, Mr. Jam collaborated with the Gboko Benue Links Business Manager, Mr. Nyebe Godwin, to locate the phone’s owner. After confirming ownership, the phone was returned to a grateful Mr. Jimoh, who commended both the driver and the company for their honesty and commitment to ethical values. These acts of integrity are a clear indication that Benue Links’ dedication to upholding high moral standards in its operations is truly adding up to the values of empathy, selflessness and kindness. This is to remind us all that in all we do, we should do unto others as we would have it done to us…the world gets better this way.