With the spread of the Coronavirus around the globe, it seems we are constantly being bombarded with bad news. We hear of new cases, new deaths, struggling businesses, and overwhelmed health care systems. It’s hard to stay positive when so much news is negative.

Whenever I speak to my Grandma, a Holocaust survivor, she reminds me to count my blessings: I have shelter and I have food. I have access to the internet, which allows me to continue my education and stay entertained. FaceTime allows me to connect with family and friends so even when I’m alone, I’m never lonely.

I thought it would be nice to share some positive news from around the globe to help keep spirits up during this time.

1. A 103-year-old grandma survives the Coronavirus!

2. Communities on lockdown are singing and playing music together from their balconies to keep spirits high

3. A surge in animal fostering among shelter closures

4. Children are hanging up drawings in windows to spread hope and love

5. Air pollution and CO2 levels are rapidly declining across the globe

Though we’ve had to close down our schools in Zambia, education will continue in another form, and we will reopen stronger and more committed than before. When the world presents us with a challenge, we will rise to the occasion and find silver linings wherever possible. Already, our team in Zambia has shown how incredible nimble they can be by adapting in so many ways – we have switched to an entirely remote team, we’ve engaged together on brainstorming contingencies, we have started planning for alternatives, and we have done it all with a fair amount of humor, kindness, and grit. We’ve spent time helping each other adapt, checked up on one another, and been there for one another.

-Eli

Don’t forget to count your blessings…