Kindness often starts with a small idea and little gesture. It has the power to set into motion something really big and special.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (16 February 2021) – In this week’s “Kindness Can” podcast on JacPod, Jane Linley-Thomas and Paul Bushell chat with Naomi Holdt about an amazing community initiative to inspire and treat frontline healthcare workers in the Greater Pietermaritzburg area.
“The message to the hospitals is that it’s not about what’s in the pack. It’s about what is behind the pack. And that is an entire community that loves and supports and wants you to know we are there for you.” – Naomi Holdt
It was an idea started by four KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) friends who wanted to let frontline nurses in their region know that the community truly appreciated all their hard work and sacrifices in this COVID-19 pandemic. They decided to put together care packs for the ICU nurses to let them know we have not forgotten about them, as they battled the second wave in packed hospitals in the region. And it’s just grown from there. The Caring for Life drive has turned into a seriously moving and inspiring community event.
The outpouring of support has ranged from truck-loads of treats to hand-made cards from local families and pensioners.
“There is no doubt – we live in a kind province,” says Bushell.
“I’ve realised that in these dark times, people want to see kindness. Kindness is actually the light and they want to be a part of it. When we get involved, that’s empowering. So in the space of this pandemic that has been so disempowering for a year, this is something that we can practically just do, and the community is thriving from off it,” says Holdt, a psychologist.
Listen to the podcast below, and be inspired…
How can you get involved if you live in the Greater Pietermaritzburg area?
“We are still needing Powerades/ Energades, flavoured sparkling water, energy bars/ Jungle bars/ chocolates, body products, any ‘special’ items. We have had a variety of sponsorships in this regard- vouchers of any sort: hair, photography, coffee, essential oils, handmade soaps, wooden engraved keyrings, really- any amount of ANYTHING that could be an added extra; Oodles of Noodles (we still need about 300 tubs),” says Holdt.
People can drop off their donations at the Athlone Circle Pick ‘n Pay, the Ellenbird in Hilton or contact Naomi for a delivery address in PMB.
“Many people from out of town have had things couriered. Or they can deposit money into the Pick ‘n Pay account. If people have a considerable donation (like a bakkie load of body products 😉) I will arrange to collect if they are in the Durban/Umhlanga/ Pinetown area,” adds Naomi.
Follow the drive on Naomi Holdt Speaker. Get in touch via email or contact 074 1310260 or Mel Klute on 071 364 5517.
“We have packed about 3000 care packs, delivered 1710 and are delivering another 1450 next week, we hope!” says Naomi.
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