The week before last the world marked Random Acts of Kindness Day. The newspaper Den/The Day paid special attention to this holiday. We are aware that in today’s rational and often cruel world, where animals can be left locked in cages for weeks in frosty weather, where children die because of adults’ negligence, and where doctors take bribes to save human lives, people should be reminded of the need to do good. Random acts of kindness make society at least a little bit more humane.
The newspaper Den/The Day, too, decided to show kindness quite randomly and without any planning. Our staff went on to the streets of Kyiv to distribute, free of charge, the fresh issue of Den and offer a free subscription to the lucky. At the same time, we decided to ask Kyivites if they know that this holiday exists, what it is associated with, and what sort of kindness they were prepared to display today and right now.
Vitalii and Olha VASKO, pensioners:
“We really lack a good holiday of kindness; we must all be kinder and smile more to one another at least on this day. Ukrainians have forgotten how to smile — perhaps because we are not as free as people in the West are. We would like to help children and cancer patients in some way, for example, with money and toys.”
Olena CHEBOTAIEVA, housewife:
“It will be nice if this becomes our traditional holiday and all try to do good to their neighbors. Even if you just pay your relatives a compliment in the morning, they will in turn share their good mood with all the rest, thus triggering a chain reaction of kindness. As for real acts, I would like to help set up a civilized refuge for stray dogs, where they would be not only kept well-fed but also helped to find new masters.”
Oleksii PSHTYKA, fourth-year student, Kyiv Polytechnic University:
“I did not know that such a good day exists. I think that, to begin with, one should display kindness to one’s relatives. The problem of our society is that we are all short of love and friendliness. Many are ready, in word only, to help anybody but their close relatives. Besides, everyone should display kindness at the place where they work or study and help all those who really need this.
“Greetings! Be kind to each other!”
Alina BYKOVA, manager of a private company:
“Yes, I know about this holiday. Yet, unfortunately, I cannot boast of any concrete good actions, because I am always absorbed in daily routine. I think good deeds should be done not only on this day — they should be present in our everyday life. I would like to remit money to children’s and charitable foundations, but I do not trust the organizers. If somebody organized a visit to an orphanage, I would readily go in order to give money from hand to hand. And when warm days come around, I will perhaps try to persuade my friends to tidy up our courtyard — to clean the playground and to plant flowers and trees.”
