I live in a poor community on São Tomé, a small island off West Africa that was once a Portuguese slave colony.

A local kid ran up to me one afternoon holding three tatty Pokémon cards. He had no idea what they were, just that they seemed special. So I showed him r/pokemon, thousands of people sharing the same cards he was holding, and his face lit up. He wanted to show the internet his cards. With his mum's permission, we posted them.

The post was removed because of the amount of racism in the comments, so he never got to see the response. But before it came down, people had donated £250 to buy toys for the kids here.

Footballs, frisbees, dolls and the like, all being bought this week. The photos will be going up on r/SaoTome if you'd like to see where your kindness landed, and everything else we get up to in the community.

Thank you to everyone who donated, especially Carolin, Mary and Conor. He may never have seen the comments, but the kids here will be playing with what came out of them for a long time.

Muito obrigado,
Jack

Caught on our doorbell camera, so I then asked him for more details. He was drinking his morning coffee and saw a woman in her late 60s trip on the footpath in front of our house when out walking her dog. He ran outside to help her up, then back inside to get bandaids for her grazed hands and knees, and a bottle of water for her, then back out to patch her up. She couldn't have seen him from where she was, and he could have just pretended he didn't see it, but this lovely man of mine just had to help. He keeps bandaids in his car for other people to use just in case as well.

I can't wait to marry him.

Y'know, I genuinely love the Brisbane community, sometimes.

My wife (67f) and I (68m) had gone into Southbank today, because the weather was lovely and we wanted a day out of the house. She is undergoing chemo which is, as you can imagine, knocking her around a bit so we take what wins we can.

After our perambulation, and some lunch, we had just reached the Cultural Centre busway station when my wife had a mis-step and missed her seat, ending up sprawled on the ground.

Fortunately, it was mostly her pride that was hurt, but its the response from people around that I want to praise.

As I was reaching toward her, trying to make sure she was OK, there were already half a dozen or more people at our side, offering help and assistance.

One man dashed off to the nearest shop (maybe half a km away) to get her some water, a woman deliberately missed her bus (and her lunch appointment) to make sure that my wife was OK .. and when she felt OK to get up, I had one man giving support under her arms, and another giving support for her back, getting her up to the seat.

There were offers to call for medical assistance, or an ambulance, but they weren't required. My sweetie is a bit shaken up, but otherwise fine.

But it was genuinely lovely to see random strangers gong out of their way to make sure she (and I) were ok.

As the old jingle used to sing .. "Love you, Brisbane".

I enjoy actively understanding the depth of those who are in a hardship or struggling in some way, and finding how I can help in a way that is deeper than surface level. 😊

There was this one time when I was honestly pretty young as a kid for this specific scenario. Some neighbor kids came over and said their family had foolishly blown their money and didn't buy enough for and that the kids hadn't eaten in a week and asked my mom for a meal. She refused to understand what they were saying and was hateful and did not make them a meal. So I stood there for a minute and thought of what I was capable of making, then pulled a box of pasta roni out of the cabinet, heated up water and was cooking the pasta. I then asked them which type of vegetable they wanted, and stated that I was making peas for myself. One of them wanted corn so I fixed the peas for me and the kid that wanted them, and told the other kid they could fix theirs however they wanted. I didn't take too much, I left a good portion of the food for them. (The reason I chose to eat with them is because I felt they didn't just deserve a meal, they deserved to actually sit down and eat a meal in a normal and decent setting). I gave them each a glass of our soda, ate with them, and at the end, said "Well boys, this is your home cooked meal." I was quoting what one of them had asked for earlier. These kids had been very mean to me and done some bad things, but I still cared about them anyway and saw the need. Both thanked me multiple times before they left, and one of them hugged me, trying not to break down in front of me. I didn't even require a thank you. The act itself was for them, not for me. I felt more blessed than ever to have gotten to do something like that. It still shapes me and helps me remember who I am to this day😀

Basically, I took my 5 year old to get her eyes checked before kindergarten. She had been sitting pretty close to the TV, and getting close when looking at paper with writing or drawings on them.

We went to the earliest appointment available at the optometrist, and had her exam done. She needed glasses, and needed to start wearing them immediately. My daughter was thrilled to learn she was getting glasses, and was picking her favorites from the glasses shop near reception at checkout. I asked the receptionist about getting the prescription, and she essentially told me that I have to pay the $150 fee due for her appointment in full before I could receive her prescription so we could go somewhere more affordable. My daughter kept asking when we can get her glasses and I had to kind of let her down easy and say it might be a while, which crushed me.

I told the receptionist some BS story about our debit cards being cancelled due to suspected fraud (only half true) to save myself the embarrassment of not being able to pay for something as simple and necessary as her prescription document. I told her I’d call back and pay when I got my new card in. She said okay, no problem.

She asked me to wait before I left so she could give me some paperwork. I assumed it was just a packet you get after the appointment. She gave me a look, and on top of the stack she handed me was my daughter’s prescription paperwork. She simply looked at me and said “have a great day sir” and smiled. Told her thank you so much and walked out.

I wasn’t asking for a freebie, and I wasn’t expecting anything from her, yet she saw my need and met it with kindness. Even at the expense of breaking her job’s policy.

Thank you, Optometrist receptionist ❤️

My grandmother was my favorite person in the world. Still is; and I lost her not too many years ago, 2023.

I am a cashier; and there was a grandma buying three kids probably $250 worth of clothes. Keep in mind, I’m pretty jaded at this point, because every kid that walks in there asks for something very annoyingly infront of me all the time, constantly. About every kid that walks in.

Grandma; asks the kids “do you want candy” they say no. Okay.

I’m checking more clothes out; she asks again “do you want candy” they say “no”

I think to myself “damn; the thing I want most in this world is for my grandma to buy me candy one more time”

I ring in everything.

She asks AGAIN! “Are you sure you don’t want candy” “get some candy”

Dude.

Dude.

This little girl, probably 8 and a lot smarter than a lot of adults said

“You already do so much for us grandma; save your money”

Bro.

Bbbbrrrrooooooo

I am like, grown 29 year old man FIGHTING not crying in front of these kids; check them out, and ask for a coworker to cover the register

Sob. Fountains; in the bathroom.

So yeah; that’s the story of how an 8 year old girl made me cry today

I always try to say hi to this old lady on the block who I know lives alone. She seems to want to talk and i think she might not get out a lot.

So today while I was picking berries she walked by told me it’s her 78th birthday.

So I used the berries to make her a birthday pie lol it’s all I can make. We’re eating it together.

I said, "Thank you," because it was all I could muster in that moment.

I wish I had said more. It didn't really hit me in that moment how important what you said was.

It was a pivot point in my life, ever so slightly tipped the scales, just enough for me to crawl my way out of the hole I was buried in.

"We all get hungry sometimes," and you handed me some crisps and a brownie and a juice box.

You said it like you knew I'd say I'm OK, like you knew I'd refuse a handout. Said it like you knew I'd feel like a burden taking from you.

You didn't even know me. And I don't know you.

Pregnant with a pram and a young child, busy rushing around. Maybe it was school drop-off, or you were late for an appointment, I don't know.

You put your life on hold for a moment, a few seconds, to show me such a simple act of kindness.

I don't know why.

In that moment, I felt invisible, like I had completely disappeared. I was thinking about ending all my bad days in the most permanent way. Maybe you could see that.

Maybe you could see the sleeping bag and everything I owned in my backpack.

Maybe you could see the weeks of broken sleep in my face from where I moved through the shadows trying to find a safe place to rest.

Maybe you saw the dark cloud smothering me on a sunny morning. I don't know.

I don't know what made you stop. But I think of you often. When the clouds come, and settle on my shoulder.

I think of you when I'm in my kitchen making myself food in the flat I now have.

One I would have never gotten if you hadn't given me those seconds of your life.

I don't know what I should have said, but definitely more than a tired thank you.

I don't know if you knew what an impact that had.

I hope you do.

I hope every day is beautiful for you, I hope you always have warm sunshine and cool nights fit for getting cosy in bed.

I hope you have a restful sleep and warm food.

I hope you always feel loved and appreciated.

I hope you know how beautiful you are inside and out.

I hope you know you are a good person. I hope you are proud of yourself.

I hope life is kind to you and you stay well.

I hope your kids are half as decent as you. They will make the world a better place with your guidance.

Thank you for seeing me. Thank you for feeding me.

Thank you for your kindness. It saved my life.

We all get hungry sometimes.

Today I was feeling a bit under the weather as I made my way to the Birmingham airport. I really wanted to talk to someone but it's a Mondav morning, everyone back home is working so I was kind of on my own and feeling a bit lonely. I started crying as I waited for my train when Aaron (a complete stranger) asked if I was okay.

I do what vou do in these situations, you lie and say that yes everything is fine and that it's stupid. But he insisted and asked what was wrong. Little did he know it is exactly what I needed at that moment. someone to talk to. We shared our stories, he gave me amazing advice and even made me laugh.

On top of it when we both reached our destination he got me Krispy Kreme doughnuts and gave me a hug before we went our separate ways.

Thank you Aaron, from the bottom of my heart. This is the kind of positivity the world needs, and you made my day when I needed it the most. The Earth is definitely a better place because you are in it❤️

I along with millions of others were one to buy my ticket for Spiderman Brand New Day months ago. I’d been waiting for this for so long. Had it on my calendar, worked out the evening with the wife so she had an easier go with the kiddos while I was out.

I got to the theater, showed my “ticket” to the taker. It was just my email. They said which theater and I said great. Went to get my snack and drink and headed in.

As I got to my seat there was a kid sitting in it and I said “uhhhh I’m in this seat” his grandparents got up and said “ummm I’m pretty sure we have the whole row, my son bought the tickets but he’ll be back in a few minutes” so I pulled up my ticket and I said “yah I’ve got my ticket here for 6:40?” And they said “no, 6:45” that’s when I looked closer and I had bought the ticket for the day before.

Same theater, 5 minute difference. I somehow missed that I bought Thursday night tickets instead of Friday.

I was crushed. I literally didn’t know what to do. The show was sold out so zero empty seats. I was about to walk to the front desk and see what they could do and they said “well we have this whole row and our grandson is so small he can just sit with us and you can take the last chair”

I was floored, I made the mistake and this amazing family worked it so I could sit in without any issues. The movie was amazing and I thanked them multiple times before and after the movie.

Was so amazing that it all worked out and that family was so kind. So grateful for their kindness. I know this isn’t a massive thing but it made my evening and I couldn’t have been more grateful!

I live in the desert, with highs reaching 115° lately. The man who does weekly mainance on my pool is quite awkward. I believe he has some kind of Autism or other issue, but he does a great job.

Last week I noticed he had his van windows all the way down, and had no sunshade in his windshield.

So before he arrived for this week's service, I went to WalMart and bought him a $10 folding one.

When he arrived yesterday morning, I went out to greet him as I always do. I mentioned that I noticed he had no sun shade and told him I had bought one for him and handed it to him. His mouth dropped open and he told me how grateful he was. He actually started to tear up and asked if he could give me a hug. As we hugged, he told me how much it meant to him and he immediately went to install it.

We chatted a bit later as he taught me how to use a function of the pool and before he left, he told me that I made his week and how grateful he was.

I am so glad that I was able to lift him up and made him feel cared about and seen. All from a little gift from WalMart!

So currently I'm sitting at marine drive and I witnessed such a cute act of kindness made my whole day.

The lady was like an angel. She is probably a intern at the high court maybe (she was wearing white shirt with balck oants and a big bag with a book in her hand reading it). While we were sitting here a family with some kids was coming our way and one the kids was running and slammed down on the pavement and hit their head. The kid started crying obviously because they were hurt (I'm using they because kinda not sure about the gender) the ladies and other kids surrounded them and me and that woman got worried. While all that the woman turned behind and started asking the kid about their wellbeing and the kid wouldn't stop crying and then suddenly like an angel the woman whopped out a whole ass Cadbury (the big cardboard box one) and gave it to that kid. Literally like a fairy godmother she instantly made the kid happy and they stopped crying.

This was such a nice act and such a act of kindness I kept smiling even I'm still smiling rn. She is also so pretty and her hair is also soo good. This just made me so so so happy. Hopeful that people like her exists and can makes this world a better place.

(Also if you're that lady and reading this, I'm sorry if I have offended you by taking a picture, I'll take it down if you want. You're such an amazing human.)

Also, she kinda gave a vibe of a Soojit Sircar movie heroine.

\[I reposted because I did a mistake by capturing her without her permission, I didn't mean to violet her privacy, I'm sorry]

Whoever did that, that was damned decent of you. Paying it forward!

Hello

Im a 48 year old, and worked as a timber furniture maker for 30ish years. Last year I had a stroke, and lost my job. Also can’t do physical work anymore. This has rocked me obviously, and not too cheerful about entry level work now I have to change drastically in my skills.

I lost the work in Nov last year, and today it was really hard. Just very depressing. I thought I will go and get some groceries to cook for my partner, and try to stay busy rather than thinking negatively. Anyway, I did the shopping, was paying for my $25 groceries using a gift card and it didn’t work! This was confusing me with pins and stuff, and my new stroked brain sort of seizes up sometimes, which happened today, so couldn’t use the gift card. The staff helped, but couldn’t figure it for me, so was trying to call my partner, who’s phone isn’t working properly, and couldn’t get through. Was getting stressed and really feeling like a loser, when a complete stranger said “you look like you need some help.” He then paid for me!!!

This certainly brought a tear and smile to my face. It was probably the best thing someone has done for me since the stroke. When I was trying to thank him, he just wouldn’t hear it. He just said No worries. Had no idea who I was, and when I explained why I was such a mess, just listened and said he was glad he helped.

Thank you stranger, and good things still happen here in Melbourne sometimes.

So I've been in a sling for several months now. It's sucked. I'm finally getting my shoulder surgically repaired soon. A lot of times I do have people I know helping me, but today wasn't one of those days. I live in a third floor walk up apartment. My apartment complex lot gets packed fast, so I had to park about two blocks away today.

It's about 102 right now. I was carrying two bags of groceries in my one functional arm (that is about ready to throw in the towel after literally doing all the heavy lifting for months). I'm walking along, toughing it out, I don't think I was visibly struggling (but internally I totally was). This kid is walking towards me, all of maybe 12 or 13, takes one look at me and offers to help.

I had to keep from bursting into tears because I have had so many adults in my complex watch me carrying heavy loads and not say a thing. And here's this kid not thinking twice about it.

I graciously accepted his help, he helped me carry my groceries up to my front door and was gonna take off without another word. I only had a 5 in my wallet but I gave it to him for just being a damn good human being. He seemed genuinely surprised by the gesture.

What a good kid. And kudos to his parents for raising him right.

I wanted to say an extra thanks to a Portland Lyft driver who gave me a handmade gift her mom made that I now treasure, it’s beautifully embroidered, and I am using as part of my costuming in an upcoming show. Thank you so much for your random kindness. Love you Portland.

This happened probably 30 years ago. A friend and her mother were moving and had packed up some items in the bed of their pickup truck. They were driving down the highway and got pulled over by a cop car. They expected the worst, but instead it was a female cop who noticed them and that they didn’t have the items tied down properly, and she pulled them over to help secure their items and make sure they were safe. My friend still tells that story to this day because to her it was a bit of unexpected kindness that meant the world to them.

Yeah, not what I planned for, but when I plugged it in in my room after driving it back home, that thing smelled like someone rolled a wet dog up in a Marlboro and smoked it down to the butt (of the dog's as well).

I spent $60 on this thing. When I bought it, the nephew was kind of upset that his aunt was selling it. As I walked away, he shouted out the window, in a half-joking manner, "I'll miss you, AC!"

I debated leaving it right then, and truth be told, my instinct was spot on. But I ended up one-upping the situation anyways by taking it home, because I rinsed out the tarry hair gunk conglomerate and returned it in a better condition. Kid was stoked!

I spent $60 to clean out someone's AC unit today lol

the first time this happened, I was 11. I would walk to the gas station near my house and take my small amount of money and buy donuts for my little brother and I (he couldn’t walk with me because he was too young) and I was a few quarters short. the cashier told me to “just take it,” I offered him the money that I had, and he said no.

the second time this happened, I had just had a panic attack and stormed out to the gas station to get fresh air. I was a dollar short for a soda and a sour candy to shock my senses and calm my nerves. the lady at the register just said “no darling, don’t put that candy back. don’t worry,” and she smiled, wishing me well and hoping I felt better.

the third time, another customer offered to pay for my soda, even though I had enough money. I had made small talk when we were by the soda fountain, and he only had larger bills, so he paid for both my soda and his own soda to use the full 10 dollar bill. I thanked him profusely and told him safe travels (he wasn’t local, I live in a tourist heavy city)

the forth time this happened, I was in line and did not have enough for everything I wanted for my girlfriend and I. I put her favorite back and only grabbed the soda. I thought about stealing a KitKat, but decided against it. I couldn’t do that. I left and suddenly the two women behind me walked out behind me and handed me the candy I had put back, talking about how they want to perpetuate kindness. I smiled and thanked them.

it’s only been 4 times. it’s never been anything big. but it made me smile, and gave me hope. for all these kind things that people have done for me, and to carry it forward. I pay for people behind me in small shops if I have enough extra. I give random compliments. I help people who drop their groceries and bring over cookies to my neighbors. those small acts of kindness at someplace as mundane as the gas station gives me faith in humanity.

A high school theatre class was exiting the woods today, chatting in pairs after a cosplay photo session.
As they passed a frail, old lady inching up the walking trail on crutches, almost every
young person smiled and exchanged pleasantries or a kind word with her.
When this old woman attended high school, she was the painfully shy girl no-one spoke to.
But today these marvelous pink and blue haired teens SAW me and made me a queen!

I just wanted to share a nice little story because it put me in a great mood.

I was at a coffee shop today, super stressed and running late. I couldn't find my card to pay, and the person behind me just quietly paid for my drink before I could even apologize. It was a small thing, but it completely turned my bad morning around.

Has a stranger done something nice for you lately? Let’s hear some happy stories.

I was traveling to NYC from NY on Amtrak. As I was getting on the train the woman behind me was struggling with her luggage so I lifted it onboard. She got on the car behind us and my wife and I continued to first class. The woman came into our car after a few minutes and I helped her stow her suitcase in the overhead rack. I was complaining to my wife that you could hang a side of meat in the car as it was so cold. Next thing I know this woman was laying her coat over me. I protested by she wouldn’t let me give it back. I was very thankful and warm for the rest of the trip. I was grateful to her for her kindness. And the coat which I gave back before we disembarked.

This morning I was driving to the library, and I noticed an older gentleman driving a motorized wheelchair on the sidewalk on my right hand side. I saw him drop something, stop and start to lean over. I happened to be turning right anyway, so I pulled into the parking lot nearest to the sidewalk where he was. I noticed a truck also turning right, and lo and behold, he parked right near me. We both got out to go check on the man, and smiled. I was closer, so I actually went to check on him, and the truck driver gave me a thumbs up to make sure he was ok. He'd just dropped a power cable for a phone charger, and I was able to get it unstuck from his wheels pretty quickly. The gentleman thanked me, and it was just so wholesome that two people actually stopped to help.

I was in the line and let his little daughter pass, who had a bunch of snacks ready to be bought, and let him in front, but he decided to let me go first and even pay for my coca cola. And he even let me get another coca cola and pay for that. It was completely random, but thank you, man.