Emigrating from Albania to Melbourne as a child of refugees meant experiencing extreme poverty. A pivotal moment occurred at a fair when a kind woman allowed a young girl to choose a doll she longed for. This act of generosity left a lasting impression, leading to a belief in the transformative power of kindness. The cherished doll remained a beloved possession until a later move necessitated parting with it, but the memory of that kind gesture endured.
As a child of refugees settling in Australia after the second world war, I experienced the searing poverty that myriads of displaced people dealt with as they tried to rebuild lives in far away, unfamiliar places.
A woman decided to play and won the chance to choose a doll from the dozen or so settled along the wall. She turned to me and asked me to choose.
This incredibly kind woman had noticed the longing in the eyes of a little girl and made her dream come true. Her act of kindness was a moment of pure magic.
That woman sowed the seeds of my own belief that small acts of kindness can change lives.
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