I watched a documentary this past weekend titled, A Small Act. It’s a story about a woman who donated $15 on a quarterly basis to a young Kenyan boy named Chris Mburu. That money helped to pay for Chris to attend grammar and secondary school, eventually leave his village and attend Harvard Law. His role as a human rights advocate brought him full circle as he began a foundation to help others. Chris named the foundation after his benefactor, Hilda Back.
If you are like me, you see the ads on television that tell you “your money will help” but I often think that my money will never really make it to the village or family or child. It’s all a scam.
Hilda Back, a Holocaust survivor, didn’t think those thoughts and instead she sent money and often wondered if her small act made a difference.
I love when this type of story crosses my path because it makes me understand how one person, one act, a kind word, a touch, a smile – really does matter. That one small act by Hilda helped get Chris and his family out of poverty.
I believe we all do things that cause a ripple. We give, hug, create, write, dance, ask, sing, donate, bake and on and on. It seems ordinary but many times the recipients of our creations benefit in ways we can’t imagine. A kind word can bring sunshine into a dull room. A hug can chase away sadness, a song can bring a smile.
I do nice things all the time. I pick up trash, send cards, make phone calls, volunteer, leave comments, give compliments all in the course of a day, week or month. I’ll bet you do too. We do these things just because… We have no idea if that person was desperate to hear a compliment or if bringing someone soup made them feel more alive. We can only hope the giving continues and as we touch someone, they reach out and touch someone too.
Hilda gave because it was the right thing to do. Chris set up the Hilda Back Education Foundation because he understood that education was the way out of poverty. The Kenyan children who receive scholarship will no doubt reach out and extend their helping hand to their siblings, family and community. A small act. We do it all the time. The circle widens, pulsates and grows. It’s a beautiful thing.
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- Small Acts Make Big Points With God (createdforpurposeblog.wordpress.com)
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Happily ... after retirement 
What a wonderful story, thank you.
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Reblogged this on Lucid Gypsy and commented:
This story really touched my heart.
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There’s a ‘movement’ happening inside of myself that I’ll share more about later this week. For now, let me tell you how much this post spoke to me. Our ability to give – MY ability to give with joy and while fulfilling my own creative passions is coming alive in a whole new way. It’s something we forget about and put little value in at times. Thank you for ‘rippling’ out to us all….with reminders that it only takes one.
Loved this story…thank you for sharing. xoxo
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Reblogged this on Cee's Life Photography Blog and commented:
This is a lovely story of one person helping another. We all can make a difference.
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Absolutely wonderful. Sure give me encouragement. One person and one story at a time we can change the world.
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What a lovely and inspiring story..
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Hi,
What a fantastic story, it just proves that we can make a difference, all we need to do is take a simple step.
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A wonderful reminder that simple acts byindividuals do make a difference.
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Really like this story. Thank you for sharing.
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Gilly, Thank you so much for reblogging this post and helping to spead the word! What I loved about the documentary and the story was the reminder that the simplest of actions matter. They make a difference – way more than we can imagine!
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Jackie,
The ripple is so subtle which is makes it so special. I love to see when people give — just because it makes them feel good to do so. In this movie, Hilda Back gave because as a teacher she wanted to something – a small thing – for someone. Wow!
I think our blogging is like that … we share, give, reblog, admire, comment and our world expands too.
I’m looking forward to hearing about your movement!
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Thanks so much for reblogging my post! I love the idea of this story getting out to a wider population! WE can make a difference and we do… thanks to small acts of sharing like you did today!
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Yes, you are so right! We can make a difference … one person at a time! Thanks~
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I think we all know people who give because it’s the right thing to do. There’s a special energy about them, don’t you think so?
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Thanks Ann. I loved the way this crossed my path and I was able to share the message with others!
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It is hartwarming and inspirational Marge Katherine.
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thank you for stopping by … MercyCorps is a great organization ..
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…the world would be much better and peacefull place if there were more people like the Hilda Back…
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I agree with you totally! I also love to support smaller projects and purchase items made by women entrepreneurs because they are usually so focused and determined to rise above their poverty.
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