A conference for mathematicians “A couple of my colleagues also attended a conference with their small son. After supper they took turns putting him to sleep and were never able to spend an evening together. I sensed that things weren’t going well between them and wondered what I could do to help. I suggested that one evening I could stay up with the boy, since he knew me quite well. The following day my colleague thanked me: Ever since the little one was born, he told me, they’d never had a moment just for them, and that evening was very important.” M.Z. – Poland My neighbour is another me “I study art at university. Shocked by the suffering of so many Syrian families, I thought of organising an art exhibit with some friends. We could use the money we earned from selling our artwork to help those families. We called the exhibit: ‘My neighbour is another me. Break down the walls of indifference’.” One of the main pieces was a wall made of tiles. Each visitor could take one tile home as a reminder that we’re all connected and invited in our daily lives to do something for people who are suffering. There were a lot of problems involved in organising the exhibit. At one point I was really tired, but thinking about the suffering of the Syrians I found new energy to carry on. The art sale brought in 4000 dollars that will be donated in full to several Syrian families.” J.T. – USA The goodnight kiss “Once again, that night Papa had dumped all the day’s stress on Mamma. Without a reply, she went to iron in the kitchen as he read in the living room. A wall had been built between them. Feeling the atmosphere growing heavier and heavier, my brothers and I went to our rooms. But I couldn’t fall asleep. A sentence kept coming to my mind: “Where there is no love, put love and you’ll draw out love.” Overcoming my human pride, I got up and went into the kitchen. “Good night, Papa,” and I gave him a kiss. Then, “Good night, Mamma” and gave her a kiss. They looked at each other and the wall between them collapsed. I went back to bed happy.” G.M. – Switzerland One small act of love “I’m a Franciscan. After giving the last hoe I had to a poor person I said to Jesus: “Okay, now you take care of it!” I heard on the radio that a whole party of hoes were arriving. I asked an NGO to make me one of the beneficiaries: I received 200 hoes along with machetes and sacks of seed that I distributed. Many people from the place ask me for help: Members of a Protestant sect from Kimbangisti and even a witch doctor. He invited me to his home and, offering me 5 litres of palm wine, he thanked me for all that I do for his people. All because of one small act of love. . .” G.B. – Angola