Feel-good stories of humanity

Give yourself a lift with these heart-warming tales from around the globe.

Generous Aussies dig deep for koalas

Photo: ABC News/Kirstie Wellauer

The devastating bushfires that have affected New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia over the last few weeks have also impacted Australia’s koala population. Generous Aussies have dug deep, so far contributing over $1 million dollars to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital’s GoFundMe campaign, surpassing the original $25,000 goal. With so much raised, the hospital has announced they’ll be able to extend the rehabilitation project much further. They’ll be setting up automated drinking stations in bushfire affected areas, equipping a water carrying vehicle to replenish the drinking stations, and directing excess funds to a wild koala breeding program. See more »

Community rallies to give firefighters and bushfire survivors a free holiday

Photo: ABC Gold Coast/Dominic Cansdale

Susan Patricia Stirton knows what it’s like to go through a disaster. In 2005, her shop in northern New South Wales was heavily damaged in floods. In the aftermath – and after the clean-up – she says that she was lucky enough to go on a holiday and take some time out. Now, as a motel operator in Brunswick Heads, she’s repaying the favour by teaming up with other local businesses to offer firefighters and bushfire survivors a holiday early next year. “The incredible firies who have done the most amazing job, we want them to know that we're thinking of them and we want to look after them,” she said. “Just to know that people care, that they're not doing this by themselves.” See more »

Neighbours help farmer move cattle to greener pastures

Photo: ABC News/Megan Hughes

Last week the Woodgate Walkers Point bushfire burnt through about 40 hectares of Linda Mapes’ land, leaving it completely unusable, with fences damaged and feed ruined. Despite this, she’s grateful that she didn’t lose any of her cattle, thanks to the work of firefighters and neighbours. Afterwards her neighbours helped even further, assisting with herding all the cattle across the suburb to an undamaged pasture. “If you can help something or someone, you do it and that's just our attitude,” said neighbour Rhonda Shailer. See more »

Gaming carts bring fun and relief to hospital patients

Photo: Gamers Outreach/Twitter

Michigan local Zach Wigal has over 5,000 video games – but all for a good cause. The passionate gamer is the founder of Gamers Outreach, a not-for-profit that builds and delivers portable gaming carts to hospitals around America. The carts can be easily wheeled around the hospital, meaning that kids who are unable to leave their room can play them. Video gaming can have positive results for the kids as they offer a source of fun and relief during what can be a stressful time. “We think of the work we're doing as an opportunity to improve a patient's quality of life,” says Zach. “We're coming to provide entertainment into hospital environments. We're helping kids to find a source of fun and relief during times where being in the hospital can be really stressful and difficult otherwise.” See more »

What we’re grateful for: education, family and friends

Photo: Global Village Project

The Global Village Project is a free private school in Atlanta for girls aged between 11-18 who came to America as refugees. With most having missed years of education, learning at a public school can be difficult for both students and teachers, with many students having delayed reading and math skills, and the teachers and schools not having the resources to give refugee students the individual attention they need. The Global Village Project offers dedicated education, which addresses the specific needs of refugee students. To celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend, the students got together to express what they’re grateful for:

“When I came here, I was so happy and also I got to learn English here and my English is getting so better.”

"I appreciate when my mom buys me stuff I don't have."

“When you show appreciation, you can be kind. You can be nice. If you are so mean, when you show appreciation you can change.”