Editor: Seven years ago, my family and I immigrated to this wonderful country from Africa. In this period, the winters have gotten warmer and we have become Canadian citizens and have settled into our careers. The Olympics have come and gone, the 鈥淥ccupy Movement鈥� has taken root, and now the KONY 2012 campaign is sweeping across the globe. All these events in one way or another have served to galvanize the human race and are indeed indisputable proof that we all share certain values.
Murphy鈥檚 Law: Last Saturday, my teenage daughter, who volunteers with the Salvation Army and the Arthritis Society, set out early in the morning to help out with an event at the Douglas Community Center. I offered to drop her off as it was raining a fair bit, but she politely turned me down and rode away on her bike. Unfortunately, she missed her turn and ended up around PriceMart.
The sad tale is that she had forgotten her cellphone and couldn鈥檛 call home, and got disoriented in her panic and the driving rain. She approached some pedestrians to ask for directions, but every time she said 鈥淓xcuse me鈥� the persons would hasten their steps and barely make eye contact.
Eventually she gave up, and in her true character decided she would ride around until she found the place or found her way back home. Forty minutes later, she found herself at her destination. She was wet and cold, but relieved to be safe and ready to help with a smile as always.
As a parent, I shudder to contemplate the consequences of such total apathy to a child who may be in danger. Canadians are world-famous for their kindness and goodwill, and my family has been the recipient of that warmth time and again. We have really enjoyed living in this community, this occurrence notwithstanding.
To my dear daughter, pardon me for writing this letter. I don鈥檛 intend to embarrass you.
To all those who are kind to strangers, you are the glow that makes the world a brighter place.
And finally to all those people who never stop to help, kindness is a virtue. Pay it forward.
Sarah Owuor,
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