kindness

What started out as a normal Uber driving shift for Keith Avila turned into an incredible rescue of a 16-year-old girl from a child sex trafficking ring. Keith was working on Monday night in Sacramento, California when he picked up two women and a young girl. While driving them to a Holiday Inn, he started hearing the adults openly instruct the teen on how to interact with “John” at the hotel. Their instructions reportedly included telling her to “pat him down for weapons while hugging him” and “get the donation from him” before anything happened. Keith, being the smart man that he is, dropped the women off, drove around the corner, and called the cops. Police officers arrived at the scene in minutes, arresting the two pimps – Destiny Pettway and Maria Westley – and the man that they were meeting. The teen was apparently a runaway who was then rescued and taken into temporary housing while law enforcement located her family. “The worst thing I thought would happen when driving Uber is that I would be getting drunk passengers and I would have to handle them,” Avila told NBC Latino. “All my life, I thought about people throwing up in the car as the worst scenario.” A member of the Uber Safety Team called to thank and congratulate Avila later that week, but he said there was no way he could have done nothing – he was just doing the right thing.

In a dramatic display of heroism, a group of good Samaritans sprang into action to rescue an unconscious police officer after his patrol car plunged 30 feet down an embankment into a creek in Dallas, Texas. The officer, whose identity has not been disclosed, was en route to respond to a burglary call when another vehicle sideswiped him, causing his cruiser to veer off the road. Witnesses reported that the driver of the car responsible for the collision fled the scene immediately after the accident, leaving the officer trapped in his vehicle. Despite the chaos, over a dozen bystanders rushed to the scene, demonstrating remarkable courage and quick thinking. They worked together to reach the officer, who was found unconscious with several gashes across his forehead. Emergency responders arrived swiftly, and the officer was transported to a nearby hospital, where he is currently reported to be in stable condition. The quick actions of the bystanders did save the officer’s life and also beams a light on the community’s willingness to help those in need during critical moments. As we go about our daily businesses, may we be reminded that we’re humans first before any socio-economic, political, racial and religious divides. Let’s be inspired to act kindly in all situations.

Nikita Shukla, a 21-year-old third-year law student at Government Law College in Mumbai, India, had already faced countless challenges when she visited the Radio City 91.1 station last month to claim her prize for winning a radio contest. Little did she know that this spontaneous visit would ultimately change her life. Nikita, who is completely blind, had been abandoned by her parents when she refused to get married after high school and instead insisted on pursuing higher education. With the support of her friends, she managed to stay in Mumbai and continue her studies, relying on small scholarships and donations from compassionate professors. However, Nikita’s financial situation was dire. She could only afford the free meals provided by her hostel, limiting her to around 20 meals per month. Despite these hardships, she consistently scored over 80% on her exams. When Nikita shared her story with radio jockey Sucharita Tyagi during their conversation, Tyagi was deeply moved and decided to share Nikita’s inspiring tale with her 10,000 Twitter followers. The response was overwhelming, as hundreds of listeners called and emailed, eager to contribute to Nikita’s cause. The outpouring of support resulted in thousands of dollars in donations, enough to cover Nikita’s tuition, hostel fees, and provide her with three meals a day. When presented with the funds, Nikita was overcome with emotion, unable to believe that people were willing to give so generously to support her dream of becoming a lawyer. Nikita’s story is a litmus indicator to the power of perseverance, resilience, and the kindness of strangers. Her journey from hardship to hope serves as an inspiration to all who face adversity in pursuit of their goals. It may be truly cold out there, but I tell you for a fact, if there’s a man who is resilient, there’s a kind soul ready to show kindness. Keep aspiring for greatness, keep spreading kindness.

On a seemingly ordinary rush hour in North London, a scene unfolded near Golders Green that would resonate deeply with the values of compassion and humanity. As commuters hurried along the busy streets, a man climbed over the railing of a bridge, preparing to leap into the abyss below. The gravity of the situation was palpable, and the response from bystanders was immediate and inspiring. As the man teetered on the edge, a group of strangers instinctively sprang into action. They reached through the bars of the railing, grasping onto him tightly to prevent his tragic decision. Their determination was unwavering; they held on for over two hours, embodying a profound sense of solidarity and care for a fellow human being in distress. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic yet heartwarming. Traffic on the North Circular road came to a standstill as police and emergency services arrived, creating a perimeter around the bridge. Officers quickly assessed the situation and, in a remarkable display of teamwork, secured the man with ropes to ensure he could not jump. Meanwhile, hundreds of onlookers gathered, some offering words of encouragement and support from the ground, reminding him that he was not alone in his struggle. As time passed, the tension was palpable. The crowd’s anxiety mixed with hope, as they collectively willed the man to reconsider his desperate act. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a fire engine arrived with a hydraulic lift. The firefighters carefully maneuvered the equipment to bring the man back to safety. As he was lowered down, the cheers and sighs of relief from the crowd echoed through the air, a testament to the power of community and compassion. Once safely on solid ground, the man was taken into the care of paramedics and transported to a hospital under the Mental Health Act. The incident was not just a rescue; it was indeed a powerful reminder of the goodness that exists in humanity, as strangers became a lifeline for someone in despair. The image of this collective effort quickly spread across social media, sparking conversations about mental health awareness and the importance of reaching out to those in need. Many expressed gratitude for the bystanders’ bravery and compassion, highlighting that in moments of darkness, it is often the light of human connection that can guide someone back to hope. This event serves as a poignant reminder that, even in a world filled with challenges, acts of kindness and solidarity can alter the course of sail of the outcomes in life. May we rekindle the resolve to be kind with every passing minute.

At times, the widespread presence of greed and selfishness can lead one to believe that kindness is nonexistent. However, when faced with a difficult situation, a good Samaritan often appears to save the day. If you can’t find any good Samaritan around you, endeavor to be one. Leroy Solis Jr. was set to graduate from MacArthur High School in San Antonio, Texas on Wednesday when he was stopped by a school representative saying that he wouldn’t be allowed to cross the stage if he was wearing jeans. Leroy had neglected to adopt the proper uniform because his father was on a fixed income and he couldn’t afford new pants. The teen was in luck, however, when he dashed outside and decided to test his faith in humanity, instead. “The school principal told him he wasn’t crossing the stage and sent him home,” Leroy’s brother Rosemary wrote on Facebook. “He had 3 minutes to line up. My brother walked back to his car and came across a young man his height and size. My brother proceeded to explain that he needed slacks to walk the stage and without any hesitation this kind young man said YES.” The strangers told Leroy that he could change pants in their truck. Before he started dashing back to the ceremony, the man and his son enthusiastically told him: “Go cross that stage!” Rosemary and Leroy have since started searching for the strangers who obliged him and his strange request, so they can properly thank them for their helpfulness and understanding.

Even though a Tesla Model S is worth thousands of dollars, this guy didn’t hesitate to sacrifice it in order to do the right thing and save a man’s life. 41-year-old Manfred Kick was driving down the Autobahn – a federally controlled highway with no mandated speed limit – when he saw a Volkswagen swerving dangerously across the road. Curious, Manfred peered into the car’s windows only to find that the driver had fallen unconscious against the steering wheel. Manfred pulled his Model S in front of the Volkswagen and braked until both of the cars came to a halt. He then ran to the man’s side and performed first aid until emergency medical technicians arrived and took the unconscious driver to a hospital in Munich, Germany. Officials said that though the man had reportedly suffered a stroke of some kind, he is currently in stable condition. Manfred, who was then stuck with over $10,000 in repair costs, was in turn rescued by none other than the Tesla company CEO Elon Musk. “Congrats to the Tesla owner who sacrificed damage to his own car to bring a car with an unconscious driver safely to a stop!” Musk wrote on Twitter. “In appreciation, Tesla is providing all repair costs free of charge and expedited.”

A heartwarming moment of compassion unfolded at the top of an escalator, where an elderly man’s fear of the moving stairs was met with the kindness of a young stranger. As the older gentleman hesitated to step onto the escalator, 23-year-old Alonzo Johnson approached him with a simple offer of assistance. “Sir, do you want me to help you on?” Johnson asked, extending his arm to the senior. The older man explained that he had once gotten stuck on an escalator, leaving him with a lasting phobia of the moving stairs. Without a moment’s hesitation, Johnson replied, “I’ll ride with you all the way down.” The two then rode the escalator arm-in-arm, with Johnson providing a steady presence and reassurance to the elderly man. Witnessing this touching scene, a bystander named Paula snapped a photo of the duo and shared it on social media, where it quickly went viral. In her post, Paula expressed her hope that this act of kindness would serve as a reminder of the power of compassion to bridge divides and bring people together. “Whoever this young man is, YOUR FAMILY RAISED YOU RIGHT! THANK YOU!” she wrote. We shouldn’t wait for the big things, let’s demonstrate kindness in the most minute of things and the bigger ones too will fall into position.

It is not often that shoplifters get a second chance – but this 18-year-old found a reprieve in a compassionate Canadian constable. The youth had been caught attempting to steal a dress shirt, tie, and socks from a Toronto Walmart earlier this week. Const. Niran Jeyanesan was then called onto the scene by the store’s loss prevention officer after the shoplifter had been detained. Upon talking with the perpetrator, however, Jeyanesan discovered that the man had tried to steal the products in order to prepare for a job interview that he had on Tuesday. Without any resources or finances to his name, the man felt that shoplifting was his only option. When the young man was released without any charges, Jeyanesan then secretly bought the clothes and gave them to the youth for his job interview “This young person has been facing his own difficulties in life and he was looking to straighten out all that by providing for his family and trying to get a job,” Jeyanesan told News outlets. Sometimes, kindness is about the best panacea for the behavioural ills we see around.