My little nephew, Yusuf, is a third-grader. Every day after school, I ask him about his day—who he played with, the games they enjoyed, or what activities they did in class. I don’t just ask; I genuinely engage, showing interest in his little world. At first, Yusuf was a bit shy and reserved, but with time and patience, he began to open. Now, he excitedly shares his stories, and I’ve even memorized all his friends’ names.
One day, during one of our chats, Yusuf mentioned a classmate, Dave, who often misses school. When I asked why, he explained that Dave has to undergo medical treatments, which keeps him away from class for days at a time. Hearing this, I couldn’t help but think about how hard it must be for Dave — not just the physical toll of treatment but also the emotional weight of missing out on friendships and the normalcy of school life.
I gently explained to Yusuf how difficult it must be for Dave to go through this and encouraged him to show kindness. “The next time Dave is in class,” I said, “make an effort to say hello. Ask how he’s doing and let him know you’re happy to see him.” Yusuf nodded and promised he would.
From that day on, our conversations often revolved around Dave. Yusuf would tell me whether Dave had been in class and if he had remembered to say hello. One evening, Yusuf shared something that truly touched me. With a wide smile, he said, “Today, I didn’t see Dave at first, but then he came up to me, said hello, and asked how I was doing!” I could feel Yusuf’s joy through his words.
I smiled and asked, “Why did that make you so happy?”
Yusuf thought for a moment before replying, “I didn’t expect Dave to say hello to me. I got used to checking on him and didn’t think about how it would feel if he did the same. But when he did, it made me feel really good!”
In that moment, I realized how much this small act of kindness had shaped Yusuf, and Dave as well. A simple habit of reaching out had not only brought joy to Dave but had also helped Yusuf experience the warmth of empathy. Their little exchange was a powerful reminder of the impact of compassion, no matter how small the gesture.
Children are like mirrors, reflecting what they see and learn, especially at home —their first learning institution. If we teach them compassion, empathy, and generosity, they will carry those values into the world, creating ripples of goodness wherever they go.
Home is the foundation where these lessons begin. When kindness starts there, schools—their second learning institution—can build on that foundation, focusing on education while supporting children’s emotional and social growth.
This story isn’t just about Yusuf and Dave; it’s about the ripple effect of compassion. It’s also a reminder for us, as adults, to model these qualities in our everyday lives—at home, at work, and in public. Our actions are the foundation of what our children absorb. When we nurture kindness in our homes, schools can focus on education rather than addressing issues that stem from a lack of emotional grounding. Together, these two institutions can shape children into compassionate, empathetic, understanding, and kind-hearted human beings.
It’s a call for us, as adults, to model the values we want to see in the next generation. The world becomes kinder, one act of empathy at a time—and it starts with us, at home.
~ Rais Bhuiyan, Founder, World Without Hate