Listening to a troubled friend, giving advice, and guiding a daughter are some of the ways people support other people. Epoch Times reporters from Romania to Spain discovered people who did these good deeds when they asked locals: “What is the most memorable thing you have done to help another person?”
Trucios Karina Milagros Saldarriaga, 34, Surgeon Dentist
As a student of stomatology (dentistry), I had the opportunity to meet a community away from the city of Lima, which had many shortcomings: they had no electricity, water, or health centers. The bridge that connected the road was unfinished and we had to place logs to cross and reach the community. I was laden with my field dental equipment, and the children of the community helped me so I could serve them without pay and only for the satisfaction of helping others.
Cristina Pupaza, 53, English Teacher
“Children, watch out for the baobabs!” is the piece of advice I keep saying to my students. Encouraging them to meet The Little Prince as early as possible either at school or at home is the most memorable thing I have done and still do to help them discover the way to themselves, to their dreams, and to confidence, harmony, and success. The Little Prince, who inspires us to ask questions, to search for answers, to learn by exploring, to discover by traveling, to treasure values, and to value simple things, but, above all, to become responsible for our own education.
Note: Reference to The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, a children book.
Elisa Cuenca Fernandez, 38, Catering Manager
Well, what I remember the most right now is the way I advised and guided my daughter when she wanted to start a relationship with only 14-year-olds; speaking a lot, sharing different kinds of negative and positive experiences, trying to give her some tools and tips, so that she could face the difficult, but beautiful experience of falling in love. What also remains very deep in my mind is being next to my sister-in-law when she got divorced and was alone with her 5-year-old son.
Oliver Turquet, 56, Teacher
A while ago a friend of mine was in serious trouble. At that time, I saw that and in that moment with his agreement, I decided to devote my time to him and listen to him talk about his difficulties. Not that I gave him advice, I devoted my time to listen; this was a great help to him.
Lila Hlouchova, 81, Pensioner
I saved my unborn son. I had a miscarriage twice before, but still wanted a baby. So I was pregnant again and there came complications after six weeks. The doctor said it must go, but I begged him to wait for three days more. I asked my husband to gather a group of Christians to pray for the baby for three days. I pledged to give him to God if it’s going to be a baby boy. At the end of the third day, the complications disappeared. The doctor said it’s a miracle. I told my son this story 12 years later, now he’s a respected evangelist.
Kane O’Connell, 31, Teacher
On a daily basis I help children all the time, but that’s just part and parcel of the job. I did have a friend who got into a spot of bother financially, his relationship broke up and he needed somewhere to stay. I just helped him with accommodation until he was able to find another flat because his parents had passed on, and his family lived out of town, and he had had a pretty rough break up, he was emotionally distraught. … I remember doing what I could to help him through that time.
Alojzia Dubovska, 36, Registered Homeopath
I try to help anytime and anybody, who requests. That’s why I studied and practice homeopathy; it became the mission of my life. And such a mission can’t be made ’cause of money. If somebody feels bad on a physical or mental level and always tries to look for a solution how to feel well again … if I am able, am always happy to help in such a process, to oversee, to advise and if needed—to give a remedy. It’s not important to remember what exactly we did well; it’s important that we did it honestly always when needed.
Anapaula de Jesus, 31, Business Student
Once I made a promise, and I needed a hand from God. I promised that if He helped me, I was going to donate a sum of money. Well I did manage to solve my problem, but instead of donating the money, I went to the supermarket and bought a lot of food and gave it to my neighbor who was going through difficult times. …. When I opened the trunk of my car and she saw all the groceries, she started to cry. It was a really big help I gave her at that time, and it was as important to her as it was for me.
Jillian Exton, 46, HR Consultant on leave
At one point, I took a lady home with Christmas shopping. She was disabled and I offered to drive her and her Christmas presents home because she couldn’t carry them home on the bus with her, so I drove her and her Christmas presents home.
Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “What do you think is the best thing about being an adult?”
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