Today’s #FourForApril is goodness that I just love. From the Kenyan safari operator doing good to help feed his local communities, to the Florida animal shelter that finally emptied one of its kennels, the good side of humanity never stops.
There’s also the magic of Harry Potter making sure NHS staff can get to work, and the Dutch firm supplying its festival cabins to care homes so the elderly can still talk to visitors while maintaining social distancing.
I love these stories, and I hope you do as well 💚
Kenyan safari operator feeds 24,000 families
A safari operator is spearheading an effort to feed thousands of families affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Pankaj Shah would normally be showing tourists around the beauty spots of his native Kenya, but due to the limits imposed by coronavirus, he has instead stepped up to help families struggling.
The virus, like across the globe, has caused the closure of schools and businesses meaning the vast majority of urban Kenyans have been affected.
The government offered tax breaks, but this was no use for those too poor to pay taxes.
That’s when Pankaj asked a couple of friends to pitch in, and using the premises that had been offered, of a local school, their support efforts began.
Kenya’s Asian community rallied round bringing cheques or truckloads of food or vegetables planted for export that could now not leave.
He has been asking wealthy Kenyans to donate 4,000 Kenyan shillings each ($40) to fund the hampers – about the cost of two pizzas and a bottle of wine.
He told Reuters: “I just need half the rich people here to care enough to fund a hamper.”
Pankaj’s volunteers, who call themselves ‘Team Pankaj’, have sent out 24,000 hampers since setting up the initiative on March 22, each with enough food to last a family of five for two weeks.
You can read more about Pankaj’s wonderful support for the community here.
Florida animal shelter empties one of its kennels for the first time
A Florida kennel has been celebrating because all of the animals in one of its kennels have found new homes.
Friends of Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control shared a video of the moment on Facebook this week and said it’s the first time the shelter has emptied one of its three kennels.
The community outreach manager for the shelter, Elizabeth Harfmann, told CNN: “It’s definitely been a combined effort from the community. The animals went to foster homes, adopters and to our partner rescue organisations.”
Due to lockdown across the US, many shelters have seen an increase in adoption applications from people who have more time to devote to a new pet.
The kennel which has 48 dog runs that often hold two dogs each, was completely emptied of dogs who have now found homes.
You can read more about this warming story here.
Harry Potter buses used for free NHS transport
The magic of Harry Potter never ceases to amaze us.
The Harry Potter-branded buses that are usually used to take fans to the Warner Brothers film studio tour, are being offered as free transport for staff working in the NHS.
The buses have been freed up to take staff between three sites in Hertfordshire, and will have on-board social distancing rules.
Due to the coronavirus lockdown, all trips to the studios have been cancelled, but that has not stopped the buses being used for good.
The NHS said the move was a “wizard idea”.
The buses will be used to take staff between the NHS trust’s Watford General, St Albans City and Hemel Hempstead hospitals between about 06:00 and 22:30.
You can read more about this magical story here.
Dutch firm supplies cabins to help the elderly meet visitors in isolation
A Dutch company that usually makes portable rooms for festivals has revamped its cabins to help the elderly meet visitors.
Flexotels has switched its business model for the coronavirus crisis, adjusting its pop-up cabins with a glass dividing wall and intercoms, which will allow easy conversation, albeit without touching, and supplying them to care homes.
The Netherlands, like most of the rest of the world, has imposed strict restrictions on public gatherings, including festivals.
Flexotels commercial director, Hans van Keulen, told Reuters: “It’s safe, it’s convenient, they can have 15 appointments on a day – so we are making a lot of people happy.”
Hans added that it is also a way for the company to help out while still paying staff.
You can read more about that lovely gesture here.
Bonus positive
These divers decided to thank the NHS from 100 metres under the North Sea 👏
Every day in April, we will be sharing four positive news stories in one post under the hashtag #FourForApril. Got any kindness stories? Send them in! We’d love the world to hear about these good deeds by good people 🙂
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