Changing the world can be something you do during your lunch break. Sometimes the smallest actions can make a big difference to someone, somewhere in the world. Here are 10 ideas for how you can make a difference. If you can think of more please include them below (10 points!).
1. Give your clothes to someone in need
Arrange to give away the clothes you don’t wear and blankets you don’t use.
- Donate in Australia
- Donate in New Zealand
- Bonus option: donate the surplus tinned food that is sitting in the back of your cupboard.
2. Share an inspiring video
Inspiring the people around you is a work of art! Apps like Facebook and Twitter give you the power to share beautiful, inspiring and powerful videos that can affect hundreds of people in minutes. Stuck for ideas? Here is an awesome video, ready to inspire the pants off everyone you know.
3. Support the schools in the slums
Forgo your coffee this afternoon (or a few wines tonight!) and make a donation to the schools in the slums of Colombia. Every bit helps alter the cycle of poverty.
4. Buy or make lunch for a homeless person
Give your lunch break the warm fuzzies! The next time you make a sandwich or order a soup to go why not double it up and make another persons tummy very happy.
5. Join Avaaz
We think projects like Avaaz will change the world, don’t miss the revolution! Sign up for their emails and vote for the ones that are important to you.
6. Stop and chat to your neighbours
If you live in an area where your closest neighbours pass by unnamed and unknown maybe it’s time to say hello. In many places we have lost the community of neighbours. It’s not hard to re-ignite that community feel – just start with with a simple hello!
7. Assist a local community project
If you start looking you will find great little community projects in all sorts of nooks and crannies of your town or city. Want to make their day? Call one that inspires you and ask how you can be of assistance.
8. Buy a chicken
Or a pig! World Vision Australia have some pretty cool ways to help people – you could sponsor a child and contribute to the development their community or if you are looking for a one off, buy someone in need a life changing gift of a chicken, goat, fruit trees or sports equipment.
9. Loan a stranger 25 bucks
Microfinance community Kiva connects small business operators in third world countries with groups of people who would be willing to loan them $25 so that they can start or expand. It is a fantastic program that helps people become self sufficient.
10. Nominate inspiring people to win a CALI Award
The CALI Award is given to every day inspiring people who are making a difference to their communities.
If you know someone who deserves recognition for their awesome work, take a few moments and nominate them for the award!
There are ten ways you can make the most of your lunch break and make the world a better place! Got more ideas? List them below.
buying local is also a grassroots change, signing petitions and sharing them on FB et al, and being grateful for small blessings as a daily routine – providing water for wildlife eg birds during hot weather, adopting a dog from the RSPCA instead of buying a manufactured (puppy-farm) pedigree breed – and meditating to clean up our own mental disarray……… such a great site you have here – congratulations.
Thanks so much Nancy!
I heard recently the tip about leaving water for birds, I am such a city slicker it never occurred to me before! Yes please no more puppy farms, the more I learn about how we treat animals the more I wonder what the hell we are doing as a race?!