All it takes is a small act of compassion to inspire positive change and spark conversations around empathy.
No matter where we come from, we all wish to be seen, understood, and respected. There can be differences in outlook towards life, but we must always choose empathy.
Slow down, pause, and prioritize actually authentic connections with those around you.
“We are all different. Don’t judge, understand instead,” – Roy T. Bennett
This week, we bring you stories that underscore the importance of empathy in building meaningful human connections.
- An initiative offers free education and supports community action
- A UBC study offers insights on making urban spaces more pollinator-friendly
- A man rescues cats in need
- A charity initiative fosters empathy and community spirit
Positively Uplifting Stories | May 19 2025
An educator offers free education while building a recycling ecosystem.
Komang Anik Sugiani, an educator from Bali, is on a mission to keep her community clean while empowering underprivileged children to build better futures.
Many students from her village live in poverty and thus don’t have access to education. In exchange for collecting waste, children receive free English and Math classes from Komang.
She also teaches them to turn the waste into useful items such as art and furniture, which are then sold online. A portion of the profits is given to their parents.
“We can’t immediately reduce waste or gain zero waste at once, but because our approach is simple and sustainable, gradually, we will definitely get there,” said Komang founder, Jyoti Bali Foundation.
UBC research highlights the importance of enhancing urban green spaces.
A new study from the University of British Columbia shows how green spaces in urban areas can strengthen pollinator communities.
Planting wildflower meadows and reducing mowing in city parks has led to an increase in pollinator species.
The findings from the study show that little tweaks in gardens, parks, and even roadside boulevards boost wild bee and hoverfly diversity, creating healthier ecosystems.
“Many people think of urban landscapes as poor environments for biodiversity, but our research shows that small actions can have a lasting impact. You don’t need a lot of space or resources to make a difference,” said lead author Jens Ulrich, a PhD candidate in the faculty of land and food systems.
Man found his calling in saving stray cats.
Yassine Harouchi is dedicated to rescuing and helping cats in Morocco. He started his mission in 2018, and since then, he has rescued over 100 cats!
He uses social media to help them get adopted into forever homes.
Yassine even rented an apartment to ensure the cats have a safe and comfortable space until they find a loving home.
“I’m a firm believer in the idea that you shouldn’t wait for others to act first. If you see something that needs to be done, then you should do it, so I started rescuing stray cats,” said Yassine.
Wall of Kindness brings community closer together.
Walls of Kindness are public spaces where people hang or place items for those in need.
From clothes, shoes, toys, books, or even food, anyone can take what’s useful to them.
These designated walls are appearing all over India. They are maintained by the local community and non-profit organizations. Volunteers also organize regular donation drives to keep the kindness going.
What’s more, these walls have led to cleaner neighborhoods and increased civic pride!
Our actions can create a ripple effect that reaches far beyond our imagination.
Have a Great Week Everyone!
We hope that these stories will inspire you for the week ahead!
As always, send us your uplifting stories! You can message us in the comments below, or DM us on our Instagram page. We’re always looking for more tales of kindness to share with our readers.
