Highlights
- Little Helpers on the Run aims to create a "generation of selfless volunteers"
- R U OK? video campaign to spread kindness and compassion
- One of six finalists in the Westfield Local Heroes campaign for Mount Druitt
Dr Faryal Zehra, a clinician and researcher, founded the charity in 2016 with the hope of creating a "generation of selfless volunteers".
Five years later this Australia-wide charity is “run by more than 90 per cent kids” and currently has more than 200 active volunteers.
Little Helpers on the Run has successfully completed more than 4,000 kindness projects to date, Dr Zehra said.
The young volunteers conduct visits, run workshops and carry out other activities aimed at improving the wellbeing of the elderly, homeless and isolated.
Through their selfless acts, the children also benefit physically, mentally and emotionally.
Little Helpers distribute kindness cards and chocolates to nurses and the elderly at Clover Lea Nursing Home, Burwood Heights, for International Nurses Day and Mother’s Day. Source: Dr Faryal Zehra
Together through technology
To mark R U OK? Day on 9 September, the charity launched a video campaign to let people in nursing homes know that they are not alone.
The message “We are thinking of you, you are not alone in this difficult time” was translated into ten languages, including sign language, and shared via social media.
Dr Zehra said the idea behind the video was to spread kindness and compassion to the people suffering the most during the NSW COVID lockdowns.
“We believe that it is important to support those in the community who are struggling and are alone, particularly our elderly at nursing homes,” said Dr Zehra.
A visit to the Greek Orthodox Community Home for the Aged, Earlwood. Source: Dr Faryal Zehra
'Kids can move mountains'
Dr Zehra said she has been involved in community work since her childhood in Karachi. When she migrated to Sydney in 2003, she noticed that there was a "lack of engagement in selfless acts" by the younger generation.
“I noticed a distinct intergenerational gap and issues with mental wellbeing,” Dr Zehra said.
“I also observed a gap in understanding from parents about involving their children in kindness activities from an early age and the long-term impact this can have on their wellbeing.”
This led her to get kids involved by giving them ownership of running the not-for-profit.
"Kids can move mountains if they want to, so why not give them the opportunity to do so?" Dr Zehra said.
Little Helpers on the Run volunteers create and distribute kindness cards. Source: Dr Faryal Zehra
Meet the volunteers
Aish was three years old when she joined Little Helpers on the Run.
“I became a part of Little Helpers because I wanted to help the community and do something extraordinarily amazing and kind,” she told SBS Urdu, adding that when you do something out of kindness it "comes back to you like a boomerang".
Abdullah, a Year 7 student, said he joined the charity to help people who are not as fortunate as him.
“We have visited many nursing homes and even the people with dementia can still remember us. This just proves that if you show compassion, many people won’t forget even if they have memory issues,” Abdullah said.
Aiza, who is now in Year 11, joined Little Helpers five years ago and believes that “charity work is an essential activity that and everyone should incorporate into their daily lives”.
Aiza said she enjoys making kindness cards and delivering them to nursing homes.
“I love seeing the smiles on others' faces when we help them out and it teaches me it’s important to appreciate what we have,” Aiza said.
Little Helpers at Linburn Aged Care, Burwood. Source: Dr Faryal Zehra
Biggest achievement
This year, Little Helpers on the Run is one of the six finalists in the Westfield Local Heroes campaign for Mount Druitt.
The recognition program celebrates people, communities and organisations in Australia and New Zealand who create a positive impact in their local community.
The charity also recently received recognition from Burwood Council through a 'Young Volunteer of the Year’ Award and a community grant.
However, Dr Zehra said the biggest achievement of her charity is simply bringing kids together to dedicate their time to acts of kindness.
“With zero major funding or paid employees, and with just the passion and dedication of our children volunteers, we have accomplished so much and proven that through hard work anything is possible,” said Dr Zehra.
Video: The Governor-General of Australia David Hurley and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley express their appreciation for Little Helpers on the Run.
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