To do a Helena

One person at a time…. 

Most people I meet want to make a difference in the world but don’t know how. It may become so overwhelming that you don’t know where to start. I firmly believe in making a difference for one person – one person at a time. I’m convinced that if EVERYONE in the world made a difference for ONE person, we could make the world better.

You probably say that you don’t have time – and that’s precisely what it’s all about. Giving your time. But it doesn’t need to be a lot of time. Please, don’t sigh now, keep on reading, hear me out. It’s not really that difficult…

Here are some suggestions on how you can make a difference for at least ONE other person:

Mentor a Teenager

Sign up to mentor a teen for a year at www.mentor.se or a similar organisation. I was a mentor to Arzo, a refugee from Afghanistan, and I will be her extra “mother” for as long as she wants.

Help immigrants who own small businesses to succeed

I was a business mentor to Ania, who owns a beauty salon, for a year. I helped her create financial results so she could take out a salary for the first time. See “Mentor own business”. I am sure something similar can be found where you live as well

Help immigrant friends off to a good start

I help my immigrant friends with driving practice and theory for their driving license, as well as practicing their Swedish and English.

Get involved with schools and volunteer your help and services

I volunteer to train students in public speaking, and I give pro bono presentations about making the right choices and being courageous. I simply contact schools and ask if they need me for anything and so far everyone says “yes”.

Open your home and let someone sleep in your guest room until they find a home

 Most people like myself have an extra bed, a sofa or an extra room. We all need help at some point in life. Sofia came from India and wanted to stay in Sweden. She got a job through one of my connections and stayed with my family and me until she found a home.

Give a helping hand in the street. You don’t have to give money, but everyone needs a meal

Every time I grocery shop I buy a grilled chicken and a baguette, about 35 SEK, and give it to the person who are sitting outside begging. Food goes directly into their stomachs and not to anyone else.

Be specific in your giving and designate a cause you want to support

My friend Clara went to Kos to help distribute medicine to Syrian refugees. Together we made a Facebook page and raised 55,000 SEK in three weeks, and I paid for a Syrian doctor’s plane ticket so he could fly to Kos with Clara.

Celebrate the holidays with those who are alone

My family has celebrated Christmas Eve at Stockholm’s Stadsmission (Stockholm City Mission) and helped out by serving food to the homeless, working the coat check, and by just sitting down to chat and lend an ear. It takes so little – just a few hours of your life at a day where most people want to be with loved ones.

Invite new refugees and immigrants for dinner in your home

Sign up at Invitationsdepartmentet.se. An organisation that coordinates newcombers to Sweden with Swedish families   for a dinner. We were paired up with Luisa Gonzalez and herson from Peru and we clicked instantly!

Be a good friend.

 Many immigrants are very lonely and the largest immigrant group right now is unaccompanied minors, i.e. children and young people under 18 who arrive in Sweden on their own. These kids could use a friend. Register at kompissverige.se

Help single parents who need a break

This fall, I’ll help out on weekends by taking care of a 8-year-old boy so that his mother can rest and do things she otherwise can’t as a single parent. Sign up at your local “Socialförvaltningen” /Social Services or a municipal office.