Mother's Day challenge

Mother's Day is coming soon in the Arab World. And whether your mom is still alive or passed away, Moms are the source of love and kindness in life. I decided this year in honor of my mother to celebrate Mother's Day with 21 acts of kindness. Why 21? I will start from March 1 till March 21 and do everyday a simple act of kindness.

It's great to buy gifts on Mother's day: flowers, cake... But if you decided you want to do something greater and has more impact on your Mom and your surroundings, join me in this adventure.

March 1: Call Mom and ask her about her day. Say something funny to make her laugh. And if your mom passed away, visit her grave and talk to her (she will be listening).

March 2: Help a mother at the grocery store and hold her bags to the car. 

March 3: Write a card to tell Mom how much she means to me. If you have kids, you can let them help decorating the card and add some kisses.

March 4: Ask a mother if she needs a drive home.

March 5: Invite Mom for a cup of coffee.

March 6: Hold the door open for a mother struggling with her stroller.

March 7: Book a restaurant table for Mom and Dad or Mom and her best friend to have a night out.

March 8: Buy a starbucks gift card and leave it by a mother's house (a neighbor or co-worker).

March 9: Send Mom a photo of me and her together or of the whole family. She will love to see that picture every day.

March 10: Send sms to a mother in your family and tell her how wonderful she is.

March 11: Take Mom for lunch just me and her. And if your Mom passed away, take her best friend for lunch and talk about her.

Check our Facebook page daily for more acts of kindness. And stay tuned for the rest of the adventure. 10 more days to go of celebrating Mother's Day with kindness.

By Heidi Shebaro

Founder of "The Kindness Project in the Middle East", a teacher and a blogger

Woman gives birth on New York sidewalk

Giving birth is already a difficult thing by itself, how about when you are giving birth on a sidewalk? But good Samaritans and amazing acts of kindness were at the right place at the right time. And a healthy baby girl was born this week on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

Polly McCourt delivered baby Ila on Monday afternoon, just steps from her Upper East Side apartment.

The mother's doorman raced to her side, as well as other neighbors and passers-by. A young doctor spotted the commotion and rushed to her side as other bystanders propped her up and covered her with coats. The McCourts are grateful for all of the assistance, and they want to thank one New Yorker in particular -- a woman named Isabelle who gave up her coat to help Polly cover up.

"Yes, we will be meeting her; we just haven't had the chance yet," McCourt said.

They'll always remember Isabelle. That's now Ila's middle name -- a tribute to the good Samaritan.

A crowd of roughly 50 onlookers formed and an ambulance arrived in minutes — but not before McCourt gave birth, while laying on the pavement, in less than five minutes, witnesses said.

Her doorman, Anton Rudovic — who had been helping her to the cab — said the baby simply couldn’t wait.

“Everything seemed normal, and then out of nowhere she screamed, ‘Stop, stop!’” said Anton Rudovic, her doorman who had been helping her find a cab.

“I asked her what was wrong. She said, ‘I’m having the baby! I’m having the baby right now! It happened so quickly, just like 1,2,3!,” Rudovic said.

“I’m overjoyed for the birth of my little girl. It’s been quite emotional,” said the baby’s father Cian McCorty, 40.

By Heidi Shebaro

Founder of "The Kindness Project in the Middle East", a teacher and a blogger

Students surprise 84 year old woman

For years, Tinney Davidson has nestled into a chair every morning in her sunny front window and waved to the high school teenagers as they walked to school -- and she would resume her energetic waving in the afternoon, on their walk home, making them smile even on their worst days.

On Valentine's Day, the 84 year-old woman received the surprise of her life when students escorted her to a school assembly organized with the sole goal of thanking her for her eyars of friendliness.

She received a rock star's welcome, was given a basket of homemade valentines, and watched a video up on a big screen showing teens expressing how much she meant to them.

"I just liked the look of the children", said Tinney, explaining how it started in 2007 when she and her late-husband started waving to the kids.

"I love it and they seem to love it also", she said.

I have to issue a tissue alert on this because I certainly needed one! 

(WATCH the inspiring video at Chek News)

Have you ever witnessed an act of kindness with an elderly person? Share it below.

By Heidi Shebaro

Founder of "The Kindness Project in the Middle East", a teacher and a blogger

Man With Terminal Cancer Spends Last 6 Months Making His Girlfriend's Dreams Come True

You have no control over your fate, but you do have a choice as to how you want to live. And this man chose well. Rather than waiting to die, he lived!

When Chris Price was given just six months to live, he decided to use that time to make his girlfriend's dreams come true.

In April 2013, the 26-year-old from Wales, who'd previously battled esophageal cancer, was diagnosed with cancer in his liver and lungs, BBC News reported. Price didn't waste any time before proposing to his girlfriend, Ceri.

Shortly after their August 2013 wedding, Price took Ceri and her four children to Disneyland Paris, where they had the "most magical time," according to WalesOnline. A few weeks later, they were off to New York City for a romantic getaway.

"If my love could have saved him, he would have lived forever," Ceri, 29, told the outlet. "We packed so much into the short time we had together."

Price just wanted to make his wife as happy as possible.

"His illness made him live completely in the moment and he taught me to do the same," Ceri told BBC News.

What a positive attitude in the face of heartbreak. Shouldn't we all live in the moment every day and make the best out of the time we have in this world?!

And what should we call the girl's attitude? Is it kindness? Is it bravery? Is it love?

She knew exactly that her boyfriend will die in 6 months, and still insisted on marrying him. He died in her arms last month, and his funeral was held in the same church where the couple wed, according to WalesOnline.

You have the choice today! Choose kindness and love. Choose peace and happiness. Choose to make everyone around you happy. After all, the size of one's heart is not measured by the span of one's life.

By Heidi Shebaro

Founder of "The Kindness Project in the Middle East", a teacher and a blogger

Pink Shirt Day tomorrow for anti-bullying awareness

Tomorrow is Pink Shirt Day, a day when students, individuals, businesses and organizations are encouraged to wear pink as a symbol of anti-bullying.

Bullying and the prevention of it is a major focus for The Kindness Project. Bullies are no longer limited to just verbal or physical bullying – text and online bullying have become a serious problem among kids and teens. 

“I would rather be a little nobody, then to be a evil somebody.” 

― Abraham Lincoln

Boys and Girls proudly participate in Pink Shirt Day because it promotes awareness, understanding and openness about the problem and a shared commitment to a solution. Supporting Pink Shirt Day means supporting everyone who has experienced bullying.

A mother expressed her support to this day by saying:

“I want my kids to learn to stand up for those who are not strong enough to speak for themselves. I want my kids to have enough confidence to not care what others think of them, I also want them to always LOVE, Always have RESPECT for themselves and others, Always have COURAGE, Always have HONESTY, Always have WISDOM, Always have HUMILITY and most of all ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH!”

Help us fight bullying, wear pink tomorrow. And let's spread happiness and joy with this video from No Label - Anti Bullying Movement: 

By Heidi Shebaro
Founder of "The Kindness Project in the Middle East", a teacher and a blogger

Lebanese Scientists' dedication rekindle the hearts of Cancer patients

Those last two weeks, I had to write about violence against women in two different cases, and we asked for community help. But this time, I attempted to find more good news coming out from the Middle East. News about kindness, about hope and love. And I found one.. actually a great one as well.

Kindness, particularly in Lebanon, started to grow, and a group of Lebanese scientists developed a drug that treats aggressive forms of breast cancer and they tested it in mice.

Although it is still early to use it on humans, but it is a wonderful news and a breakthrough in the disease's treatment.

I was so happy to read such an announcement and was happier to know that it is coming from an Arab Country. That is what "The Kindness Project in the Middle East" wants to project light on. We want more accomplishments, more goodness, more kindness, more good deeds everywhere.

I will take advantage of this article celebrating our scientists and include acts of kindness for a cancer patient or a survivor. 

- Go to a flower shop and buy some half open flowers, and go to the closest hospital and give it to a stranger cancer patient. You have no idea how this will put a smile on that patient's face!

- Send some beautiful encouragement cards to a hospital and ask to be distributed on cancer patients.  

- Bake some cookies and take them to a survivor.

- Join Cancer walks in your community and help raise donations.

- Raise awareness on World Cancer Day!

I asked a friend of mine who is a cancer survivor and going on her 2nd year remission what a patient might need the most. She said:" Love and Support". 

So show your love and support to any cancer patient whether you know or a complete stranger. We need more people in the world touching others. All it takes is a little time. Do not skimp on giving some of your time to spend it with a cancer patient. Acts of kindness from family, friends, and even strangers can make a world of difference and offer hope during a dark time. 

What acts of kindness have people shown you during your cancer journey?  Please leave a comment below and tell us your story.  

By Heidi Shebaro
Founder of "The Kindness Project in the Middle East", a teacher and a blogger

Outrageous video from Lebanon

This video is one of the most disturbing videos you will ever see. It's not only a video about a maid being beaten up, threatened and forced to get into the car of her employer.. No!! It's also about people standing there and seeing what is happening without doing anything!

I don't know if I am more angry at the employer or at the people watching this and doing nothing!! 

I know one thing, that violence doesn't differ a wife from a maid from a child.... Violence is violence. Another person is being abused in our Arab World, not only in Lebanon. The whole Arab World is suffering from domestic violence. There are stories coming from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE...

I ask myself over and over again: How can we help to stop this?

I noticed people prefer not to get involved, but that is unjust. Seeing this violence in front of your eyes and doing nothing is like you are beating that woman not literally but emotionally. How can you look into her eyes getting battered and go to sleep at night?!

If you ever witnessed a domestic violence, please do not hesitate to help. You can save a life! If you ever doubted that a woman.. any woman is being battered, offer to help. Suggest other options, comfort that woman that life doesn't stop here and she can start all over again. Offer to take her to her embassy if she was a foreign, offer to take her to a local NGO that will give her a place to stay. Do not turn your blind eye and pretend this didn't happen. 

And educate your kids. Education is a key aspect to preventing the continuation of the cycle of domestic violence. It is important to teach today's youth about healthy relationships and respect for others.

Unfortunately, this maid is not alone. Hundreds if not thousands like her. Almost every day we hear such stories. No humanity! No conscience! And on top of that no law to protect these women. 

My heart burn. I wish I live to see the day where no women on earth will be battered and laws protect their right to live with dignity and equality.

By Heidi Shebaro

Founder of "The Kindness Project in the Middle East", a teacher and a blogger

A story of bravery and heroism from Lebanon

After an absolutely tragic suicide attack that targeted an Army post in northeastern Lebanon Saturday night, people across the nation are mourning for the families of the victims.

But from the terror and aftermath of the tragedy that killed three people, including two soldiers, and wounding 17 others, a story of bravery, heroism, and selflessness began to emerge, the bravery of Captain Elias Khoury who was personally at the barrier and suspected the car, so he pointed to the driver to go to the right, but the suicide bomber stopped just 15 meters from the checkpoint.

Captain Elias Khoury protected his component and asked them to stay where they are and went solo to the motorist Cherokees.

At this time, little can be said or done to take away the pain felt by a nation, a community, and the families and friends close to this horrific ordeal. But if you want to do an act of kindness today, find out how you may be of assistance, whether it be through emotional support, financial aid, or volunteer work.

For more acts of kindness stories and ideas, follow our Facebook Page.

By Heidi Shebaro

Founder of "The Kindness Project in the Middle East", a teacher and a blogger

Lebanese against domestic violence

I hear loud voices coming from Lebanon.. Do you hear it as well? Listen carefully... Righteous voices, angry yet forgiving, loud yet just.

Lebanese are rising above all their differences and standing hand in hand against domestic violence and women abuse.

We wrote a lot about women who died, women who got injured, women who ran away... after they were beaten from their husbands. We said it's an issue of how the parents raise their children and how we live on stereotypes. But today, we are standing still as strong as Lebanese mountains against this injustice and saying NO! ENOUGH!!

Kafa (Enough) is launching this event and Cycling Circle is going to ride against domestic violence. And The Kindness Project team will be there as well. We will be there for Manal, Christelle, Roula and more. We will be there for women's right to live with dignity and equality in our Arab World.

It is not enough anymore to just capture the guy and put him in jail for a year or two then act as if nothing happened. It's not acceptable to let the men who kill their wives run away with it by paying some pennies to the family of the victim. We want more than that. We want a strict law that defends women. We call for a unified civil law and changes in the current personal status law.

Should we remind you who are these women?! These women are your mothers, your sisters, your daughters... Why should they keep silent because they are afraid that the husband will take the custody of their children? When will this change? Don't just stand there and do nothing. We need to raise awareness, we need to act and act NOW! We need a social revolution - I know - but everything in life has a beginning. Let this day be it.

Join us on Saturday March 8, 2014 at 2 p.m. in front of the Lebanese Museum. Let the justice take place.

For more support, follow The Kindness Project in the Middle East on Facebook

By Heidi Shebaro

Founder of "The Kindness Project in the Middle East", a teacher and a blogger

Valentine's Day Celebration with acts of kindness

While we are still in the mid Random Acts of Kindness Week, we are also celebrating Valentine's Day today! And no occasion could have been better than celebrating love with kindness?! It's a beautiful mix.

Valentine's Day is not only about love between a man and a woman, it's loving everyone and everything around us. And acts of kindness is like celebrating Valentine's Day every single day. So, what can we do to make it even more special to random people and strangers we meet on that day. 


1. Buy a bouquet of flowers and walk around a park, mall, parking lot, or stand by the grocery shop's door, somewhere that there is a lot of people and hand a flower to any stranger passing by, oh and don't forget to smile.

2. Give a gift of life and donate blood to the closest Red Cross or Donner Sang Compter.

3. Bake cookies or buy candy bars and take them to a children's hospital, or elderly hospital care, or even your workplace.

4. Find an elderly person who is sitting alone in a park, mall, or by the beach and invite them for a cup of coffee or juice.

5. Write some random notes and hang them in random places whether on a tree, between books at the library, on a coffee shop's wall... These notes will brighten someone's day for sure.

6. Buy some Valentine's greeting cards and give them to people walking down the street.

7. Call someone you've been meaning to talk to but keep running out of time each night. Catch up with them and wish them a Happy Valentine's Day.

8. Use Facebook and try to reconnect with old friends from the past. 

Let us make someone smile on Valentine's Day with the Random Acts of Kindness Week. If you'd like to find out more kindness ideas for the whole year, check The Kindness Project in the Middle East.

By Heidi Shebaro
Founder of "The Kindness Project in the Middle East", a teacher and a blogger

Kids Pay It Forward!

On the 3rd day of Random Acts of Kindness Week, I thought that we need to include our kids, our nephews and nieces in this beautiful act and teach them how to pay it forward.

So, if you have a kid of your own or you have a child in the family and would like to inspire them and give them an experience they will remember all their lives, talk to them about kindness and plan to do as little as one act or as many as you want.

Having a 3 years old boy myself, he might be still young to understand the whole concept, but he knows the words "gentle", "nice", "do good"... And I make sure he sees me when I do an act of kindness, because as we all know "Kids see. Kids do".

Of course there are millions acts of kindness out there to do with kids, and none have to be complicated, expensive or even take lot of time. You can simply smile to others. But I wrote a list I am planning to do with my son, maybe it will inspire you and give you more ideas.

1. Bake a dozen cookies for our local fire department and police department.

2. Decorate a tree in the entrance of our neighborhood. This has nothing to do with any religion celebration. Just random tree decorations with homemade crafts and colored pictures.

3. Give a box of candy and thank you card to our postman.

4. Color a picture and give it to an older couple in the neighborhood.

5. Make a craft and a thank you note to the school's teacher. 

6. Donate some toys to needy kids.

7. Say hello to everyone in the park.

8. Say "Thank you" and "Please". 

9. Babysit someone's kid. My son loves to have guests over.

10. We already did this one, but I would like to include it. We wrote some beautiful notes like "you are beautiful", "smile", "have a great day" and we went to stick the notes on random cars.

So this week, I would like to challenge you to do at least one random act of kindness with the kids in your family. Then, if you would like, come on back and share your acts with us in order to give others great ideas of what they can do too!

By Heidi Shebaro
Founder of "The Kindness Project in the Middle East", a teacher and a blogger

Hate someone? Be kind anyway

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
- Kent M. Keith, The Silent Revolution: Dynamic Leadership in the Student Council

It is probably easier to be kind to a stranger than to be kind to someone you dislike. And it is totally understable. I mean why would you be nice to someone who is really rude to you or you can't stand him for a second?! 

Tell you the truth.. you have no choice here. When you took the decision to be kind, you couldn't say well I will be kind with so and so but not to this particular person. You either are kind or no.

So how can you work on yourself and make more efforts to be kind with people you dislike?

Remember the golden rule: Treat people the way you would like others to treat you. 

It needs lot of effort and guts from your part, but nothing is impossible. Get to know that person more, it might help you find other positive things in his character that you weren't aware of.

Take time to understand that person, his background, the environment he grew up in, his hobbies.. Stop judging and look for the good hiding inside that person.

Promise yourself that the next time you will see this person you will be kind, you will say something nice about their outfit, hairstyle, work... Or you will ask them about their day, their family, their health... And actually listen to their answer and reach out to them.

If I am asking too much from you then a simple "Hello" and eye contact will be great start. I know someone who bring small gifts to the people he dislike. Isn't it amazing?! He says: gifts brings love to both the giver and the receiver. Maybe you can try that!!

Personally, I noticed that when I stop talking about the negative in that person I feel that I am more willing to be kind to them. If you keep talking badly about someone, stop right now, and let things calm down, and I am sure you will notice a big difference.

Someone sent me a letter once telling me that she hates her mother in law, they are both from different backgrounds, both do not speak same language.. she always mention the bad things her mother in law does, but whenever she sees her she can't be rude, and she finds herself being so nice and say kind words, and take her out... She said that two things: her husband and putting herself in the mom's pants that won't allow her to be rude. She loves her husband so much that a good relation between her and his mom is indispensable. And thinking of her boys when they grow up and get married, what if her daughters in law were rude to her!! Karma is real. What goes around, comes around.

Do you have a co-worker you dislike? Do you have a neighbor you can't deal with? Try one of these methods and tell me how it goes.

By Heidi Shebaro
Founder of "The Kindness Project in the Middle East", a teacher and a blogger