It is always when we have touched rock bottom that something happens to remind us why we shouldn?t let despair take hold of our spirits. Something happens to remind us that humankind, despite all the trials it is subjected to, is not all bad after all, that there is hope to be had. Scratch that hard, often cruel, sometimes monstrous and generally selfish surface, you?ll find that the goodness is still there, albeit slightly rusted.

It only took one heart wrenching story, published by weekly ?5-Plus?, that of a couple planning to have one baby to complete their family and the ensuing shock to find that the woman was pregnant with not one but four babies. Once the euphoria subsided, it was time for a harsh reality check; the couple?s financial situation would not make it possible to support, feed, cloth, educate and what not, four children. Not now, not probably ever.

I myself read the story and I thought, ?poor people? and that thought led me to think of those people I personally know who have just had babies, thinking that having four kids when you?ve been planning for just one, is a strain on any budget. That?s where, I?m afraid to say, it all ended. What did I do? Nothing, save sharing my thoughts with a few people. Then I carried on with my selfish life.

But many people have acted instead of just thinking. They have forgotten their own sorry lot for a minute, probably realizing that their own problems sounded trifle compared to what the two young parents had to deal with on a daily basis, having to worry about where the next day?s bread was going to come from. And they gave what they could spare. Isn?t that beautiful?

We need to thank those people for this lesson in kindness, in sharing and in solidarity. If the ministry for Social Security is not in a position to help deserving cases because of financial constraints, why can?t we step in when need be? Why can?t the nation take over and why can?t we take care of our own? By our own I mean our children, by the way, Mauritian children, our country?s future. I am making this precision in case some sick mind chooses to read something else into it.

Oh imagine the values that will be instilled in those four beautiful children, those children who will grow up, knowing that their fellow citizens? hearts once were so moved by their parents? plight- and their own haunted eyes- that a number of people, perfect strangers went out of their way to help by sending money, by sending food, by offering to take care of the cost of their pre-primary education.

But the money that has been sent to those people will run out, the last drop of donated water will be drunk and the last biscuit will be eaten and soon. Hopefully, we will still be there once the momentum has gone. Hopefully, our hearts will stay open to other equally heartbreaking life stories.

To the people who have responded so positively, thank you for setting the example. Thank you for reminding the rest of us that if only we cared enough, we can make somebody?s life better, we can soothe a few pathways.

Thank you for making somebody?s cup run over with gladness.