Kindness helps build communities.
One act of kindness that is rapidly growing around the world, are community gardens. In cities that are over populated and people are experiencing hunger, communities have come together to develop vegetable and herb gardens to feed those in need.
Community gardens in Canada
In Canada there are over 100 community gardens that are encouraging people to go outdoors and enjoy nature.
In Toronto there is a website where you can find a network of community gardens. (http://tcgn.ca/). It is a community made up of individuals and organizations from across the Greater Toronto Area. They are committed to greening and sustainable gardening practices across the City of Toronto, and to make community gardening an integral part of city life.
In Ottawa, Canada, you can find a community garden project through http://justfood.ca/community-gardening-network/.
In Vancouver, Canada, the City of Vancouver has community gardens on their website that you can join. (http://vancouver.ca/people-programs/community-gardens.aspx)
The city of London, Canada, also has opportunities to volunteer at local community gardens (http://communitygardenslondon.ca/)
Community gardens around the world
Around the world communities are developing areas in their cities by establishing urban gardens for their communities. The idea is to work with their local government departments to ensure that the parcels of inner city land are utilized to sustainably support the needs of hunger individuals.
Food Tank has a list of community gardens around the world where you can have the opportunity to give back to your local communities. (https://foodtank.com/news/2015/07/urban-farms-and-gardens-are-feeding-cities-around-the-world/)
“Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people.”
Franklin D. Rooseveldt.
Volunteering when you are on vacation
Volunteering ones time is an act of kindness. In every community there are opportunities to volunteer. There are even opportunities to volunteer in communities in other countries. When planning your vacation, have you considered volunteering whilst you travel?
In India there are volunteer programs designed to assist their local rural communities whilst the tourist visit their beautiful country. (https://www.gooverseas.com/volunteer-abroad/india)
Have you considered volunteering in Africa? SAVE is an organization that has volunteer programs across the continent of Africa. You can choose to work with people, animals or do internships. For more information visit their website. (http://volunteering.org.za/)
Working with animals and wildlife
If you love animals then there are opportunities to volunteer at your local animals shelters and wildlife rehabilitation centres. If you don’t have a lot of work experience then look for volunteer opportunities that provide work experience and certification. This can help build your resume and could lead to a job at your national park. One such program is in Banff National Park in Canada. It offers a four week certificate program in Conservation Leadership. (http://www.gointernational.ca/programs-in-canada/volunteer-canada/volunteer-banff.aspx)
Go International has various volunteer programs in Canada if you would like the experience of working with wildlife and other volunteering programs. (http://www.gointernational.ca)
Fronteering (http://www.fronteering.com) offers opportunities to do volunteer work with wildlife and horses. Volunteering to look after animals is an act of kindness that can be very rewarding.
In South Africa there are some interesting volunteer programs. If you like marine animals then you can have the opportunity to work with great white sharks. (http://www.marinevolunteers.org/)
It is a wonderful experience to work with endangered animals. In South Africa you can volunteer to work with Rhinos and Lions. For more information on opportunities to work with wildlife you can visit https://www.volunteersa.com/.
Disabled people can also volunteer
Disabled people also have opportunities to do volunteer work. The website for disabled volunteers in Canada is (https://volunteer.ca/). This website encourages the engagement of people with disabilities to do volunteer work. They believe that…. “Volunteering opportunities are particularly important for people with disabilities and other populations that experience barriers because they can alleviate social exclusion. Volunteering also allows individuals who may require assistance or supports for some of their daily activities to be in a position of helping others and develop a greater sense of self-efficacy.”
Go abroad is a useful resource for volunteer programs (https://www.goabroad.com).
Volunteering can be a wonderful opportunity to show kindness and contribute to the wellbeing of our planet.
We encourage you to find opportunities in your local communities to volunteer in shelters for the homeless or animals that are in need of kindness. There are also opportunites to volunteer in other countries which can add to your experience and meeting new people.
By building stronger communities we can fill our world with acts of kindness that can connect our global village in a positive and productive way.
