WE recently launched the Entrepreneurs for Sustainable Development at the Pegasus with a mini expo. The association has a very hardworking steering committee, but as the founder and trustee, I had a few responsibilities.

I was super exhausted, and maybe it showed, because Samantha Henry from Rejuvenate Spa recommended I sit for a foot massage after we closed the mini expo. I did not realise how much I needed it until she started. A very polite young man approached us asking for Ramario from Lethem Apparel, because he wanted to purchase some T-Shirts. He was wearing a mask, and that can hide your features. Then he said, “Ms Noel, you may not remember me, but we met at St Joseph Mercy Hospital(SJMH).” After the word “we,” we completed the sentence together. I knew who he was in a split second, although we did not see each other until then. My brother was in the hospital extremely ill and some days I spent long hours at the hospital. I can remember meeting this handsome man with his beautiful sister looking very worried, and even without thinking, I approached them. I learned their mom was ill, was scheduled for surgery and needed blood. Without hesitating, I volunteered to give her blood. Sometimes in life we have to forget about our problems to assist others. Just a few hours before, my brother doctor had told me that there was no hope for my brother. This was one of the most challenging times in my life, and my faith helped me keep my sanity through that period. The young man, Jason and I got emotional when I saw his FB post, which I am sharing below.

“Guyana and the world at large is[sic] blessed with some beautiful, phenomenal women. Here is an example of one such individual,Ms Sonia Noel.
Two years ago, while at SJMH with mommy,Ms Sonia was there and had the warmest of smiles and was encouraging to us, even offering to donate her blood for mom. That day we were reminded that there are still good people out there.

When you are kind to others, no matter how much time passes, they will always remember you for your kindness and your kindness might be the glimmer of hope that someone in a very dark place actually needs.
It was really nice seeing you again and getting a few selfies with you.

You just never know when you are making a difference in someone’s life and that post reminded me of a Maya Angelou quote:

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
My grandmother was a very kind woman and my mom inherited that from her. I can fit their shoes when it comes to kindness and sharing everything out of the little they had. I find myself gravitating towards people who care and are willing to contribute to humanity. Persons like Joanne Prescod, owner of Le Treats Bakery and Sarah Khalil, founder of the World Care Organization. Le Treats Bakery partnered with the Sonia Noel Foundation for the “Bread Basket” mission. This mission provides free bread for underprivileged families and weekly snacks for the homeless. People will be receiving more than bread for the Christmas season because the World Care Organization provided food items for the hampers. One of their objectives is to connect people worldwide in the fight to end poverty. Working together, we invest in the lives of children and youth, build the healthy environments they need to thrive, and empower them to create lasting change in their own lives and communities.

Some of the communities benefiting from these hampers are Tuschen, Parika, Bartica, Linden, Berbice and some areas in Georgetown. No pics will be taken with people receiving hampers.

Thank you to Lisa Insanally for donating the bags for the hampers and Ryad for the cards. Thanks to Natasha, John, Meleesa, Raquel and Amrita for assisting with the packing and distribution of hampers.

I believe soon I will be able to do so much more for people. We all can contribute to the livelihood of someone else, no matter how small it is.
I try to spread love through the year, but try to do a little extra at Christmas time.

Mother Teresa said, “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier. If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”

Let us look around our community and we will find things we can do to make a difference in someone’s life, as we continue to celebrate the beautiful journey called live BEYOND THE RUNWAY.