While Berlin has a relatively comfortable and stable environment with little disturbance from natural disasters, famine, political unrest like that of many other countries, it is not hard to encounter scores struggling around us on a daily basis. From people suffering from mental disorders wandering inside U-Bahn to people sitting shiveringly under the bridge due to homelessness, many of us, including myself, tend to turn a blind eye on them, not just because of the lack of know-how in solving the deeper social issues, but possibly also because of the feeling of inadequacy when it comes to empathising the pain of the less fortunate groups when personal battles, goals and dreams often take precedence.
2020 is not an easy year for many, several days ago, I came across this poster that says shoeboxes with donated items will be collected in order to help the homeless to get through the Covid winter. I took a small step of faith in sharing it with others to see how this can be possible.
After all, despite the need of society tends to be far greater than one’s ability to meet, we should not undermine the part of which we could play, no matter how small that step looks like.
I was encouraged to see friends and the CODE community come together, even in the midst of these trying times, took their bold small steps, acting in hopes of making Berlin a better place for everyone. To me, a great city isn’t any big thing, but a million little things done by many great people with great hearts. Although many probably might not have a home still when they receive the shoebox, what is more important though, is the sense of hope and the feeling of being a part of a family.
Special shout out to the CODE faculty members, Britta, Uli, and Manuel in being the faculty support to make this possible. And of course, Grace, Anne-Sophie, Sean, Lydia, Marianne, Megan, Bekkah, Vicki, Sukmeet, Matteo, Thaiki, Jason, Simon, who took part in supporting in many different ways! Within two short days, 8 boxes ( due to the challenges of finding empty shoeboxes) were prepared and delivered, and the extra fund received went to contributing to the making of more than 100 boxes. Now, more than 108 boxes are on their way to touch lives that might have long been forgotten but should not have been.
While we still need to stay socially distant with upcoming tighter lockdown, our hearts of wanting to reach out and care for one another should never be distant, even if it means we have to be more creative and intentional than we normally are .
This might be the first, but I hope that this will not be the last, for all those who are willing, in being the change they want to see, whatever that might be.
