‘Kindness is contagious’

While the Facebook post was shared on May 6, it has had a ripple effect with many more coming forward to help each other during this crisis.

While the Facebook post was shared on May 6, it has had a ripple effect with many more coming forward to help each other during this crisis.

Rebecca K Kits
Dimapur | May 9

The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everyone in the region and ‘doomscrolling’ has become an inevitable part of social media and messaging platforms.

However, an initiative being undertaken on Facebook by some concerned individuals in Nagaland is a breath of fresh hope in these trying times.

After more than a year of the pandemic, businesses have suffered losses and many families are in dire need of basic amenities.

Recognizing the need to contribute, Lenti Aier, Founder and President of the Act of Kindness Society in Dimapur recently reached out to three families in the district, providing them with ration and face masks.

Pathway of blessings
While Lenti is a social worker and has been engaged in similar initiatives in the past, reaching out to families in need during COVID-19 was a ‘movement’ she came across on Facebook.

One of her friends in Guwahati had posted a note on Facebook offering assistance during the pandemic, stating: “If anyone is not working/not getting an income and runs out of food, or even struggling for some basic medicines. Please don’t go to sleep with an empty Stomach. Don’t be afraid to send us a private message. We will be more than happy to share whatever we have. We will arrange whatever we can in our capacity. We will find a way to arrange it for you, no questions asked!
#CopyAndPasteIfUCanAndYouAreWillingToHelp.”

Sharing her view on the Facebook post, Lenti said “This post creates the pathway for anyone to be a blessing to their loved ones and their community, no matter where they may be.”

“I feel that we all have it in us to care for and love one another,” Lemti shared with The Morung Express on May 8.

‘Doing what we can with what we have’
From Guwahati to Dimapur, the Facebook post made its way across places and people inspiring many others to offer help in any way they can.

“Since it is a post allowing anybody to participate in their own capacity, I have come across my friends sharing the same too,” Lenti shared. The post is being passed on by anyone who is willing to help. “They just copy and paste it on their Facebook wall, and the then the post goes around. In no time, the entire community is helping one another,” Lenti added.

Carrying the initiative forward, Gugu Haralu from Dimapur, shared the post on her Facebook timeline and has been able to extend help to several individuals in need.

The beauty of this initiative is that it is for people who want to genuinely help others. “We are all doing what we can with what we have,” Gugu shared.

People may be struggling and suffering but may hesitate to seek help, which is why this is a good way to extend help without making them feel uncomfortable, she added.

The Facebook post is being picked up by more individuals and according to Lenti, a doctor in Sivsagar (Assam) has been able to provide medicines and ration to an Elderly Care home in Guwahati, besides helping an infant in need of assistance in Arunachal Pradesh.

Another person, Kumar Pillai from Dimapur has been able to help 6 individuals in Dimapur and 1 person in Kohima.

While Lenti shared the Facebook post on May 6, it has had a ripple effect with many more coming forward to help each other during this crisis, going on to show that kindness is contagious.