“We believe in a more compassionate world and are here to do the work, one smile at a time. We host community events and social experiments, that bring people together in an experience designed for human connection and compassion.” This is the mission statement of Goodwill Tribe, which was founded by Sonia and Chandni in Dubai. The Goodwill chapter has branched out to eleven cities worldwide, and here in Kuwait, it is run by Meryl Mathew and Melissa Azavedo, who agreed to answer questions for this month’s issue of bazaar.
What was it about Goodwill Tribe, in particular, that encouraged you to open a branch here?
Our prime reason was that we ourselves were touched by the ideology of Goodwill Tribe and experienced a change in our way of life. We wanted to share this positive energy and encourage people to take time out of their busy schedules, stop whining about life, experience the power of just being nice and loving human beings, and be conscious about the blessings of life in every small way.
Give us an example of a Goodwill Tribe event you hosted in Kuwait.
We have organized several events which involved meditation, stargazing, and music; but one of our major events that we host regularly is Kindness Confetti where people come together to create handmade cards with positive, fun and inspiring quotes. We then distribute these cards to strangers with the intention of spreading joy and smiles.
Lao Tzu says that kindness in giving creates love. Do you think kindness is inherent within us or do we need to make an effort to be kind?
We believe it is inherent in us, but we must learn to tap into it as sometimes our ego gets the better of us, and we tend to act in a way we don’t really mean to. Kindness is like a spiritual tablet, and when consumed the joy and strength one feels is inexplicable.
Are your efforts contagious?
Each event is like a ripple effect of love that illuminates the soul. We ourselves get flabbergasted at the immense amount of love and care shared by strangers who grace the events. It’s a beautiful moment of unity and the ambiance is always relaxed and exciting.
And, finally, have you managed to convert any skeptics along the way?
Well, thankfully, we haven’t had any yet. Our only hope is that people feel liberated and strengthened to do the right thing. Being kind isn’t rocket science; it’s a choice. We believe it is the right thing to do even if one thinks it’s not coming from a genuine place. Being encouraging, inspiring, loving, caring, et cetera: all that takes patience and humility. Once you begin to nurture these characteristics within yourself, you begin to become conscious of your actions; and then, being in a state of tranquility becomes an ordinary way of living.
For more information, check out The Goodwill Tribe on Instagram @thegoodwilltribe or their Facebook account: The Goodwill Tribe. For more on Nejoud Al Yagout, check out @coexistkuwait on Instagram.
