DFK2022

As a Group Leader I have managed to save our South African youths from the street life. I have taught them the most important thing to be kind to one another and also to teach others about kindness.

South African Friends of Israel held the 1st ever Dance for Kindness event in South Africa. The event took place in Vanderbijl Park, South of Johannesburg.

Young people from across Gauteng province gathered to celebrate and participate in this amazing event.

The Dance for Kindness initiative is centered in embracing Ubuntu, love and kindness as a panacea to our sadly troubled world.

Words cannot express how grateful I am for your kindness and generosity. Thank you so much for participating in DFK 2022. As the South African Group Leader I appreciate my South African youths.

Thank you! This was an amazing project, for us to unite so many people from different backgrounds towards one purpose: Kindness!. So much fun, joy and happiness were all throughout. It was so beautiful to see the dedication and commitment of everybody throughout the rehearsal sessions till the D-Day. We will definitely organize a Dance for Kindness for our country every year!

Big Thanks to the entire back-end team without whom the project would not have been a success. Special thanks to Sangeeta, Nalinee, Neelam, Reshma, Keshavi, Jaya, Premah, Veelesh, Leena, Gavishtee, Ashwinee, Mrinal, Sanjana, Nirupama, Vidz, Manisha, Vanesha, Nilesh and Prakash.

Everyone was so proud to take part in such an awesome event. We had many different schools represented, churches, and different Roma NGO Community Centers that taught the dance to their kiddos as well. It was such a special time. Honestly, the most privileged children of Albania standing next to the least privileged children – wearing the same shirt – dancing the same dance – with a passion for the same mission. It turned out that the day was about so much more than a choreographed dance. It was about bringing people together, community, and bridging the gap of differences. It was so awesome!

Dance for Kindness-Tirana was a huge success because of the willingness of our small group leaders and other integral supporters to be involved.

Tamara Thurner (Tirana International School and IPA)
Kelly Remick (Tirana International School)
Daniela Cakuli (World Academy Tirana)
Ida Metaj (Albanian International School)
Lais Borges (GDQ School)
Albana Topalli (Kristaq Rama School)
Brianna Roberts (Albanian College Tirana)
Joli Gjovreku (National Ballet School Tirana)
Greta Koxhajo (Little Angels Community Center)
Marinela Sula and Alison Kemp (House of Hope Community Center)
Kristjana Bashaj (House of Color Community Center)
Xhesjana Ymaj (Eden Center)
Gledis Buxhuku (Raiffeisen Bank)
Barry Ogden (Event Speaker)
Marsela Bilani (Photography)
Juli Grori (Drone Video)
Valbona Karapici (Translator)
Ilir, Fredi, Adi, Sefer (Bus drivers transporting Community Center children)
Eva, Alba, Andriola, Mirselda, Jon, Valbona, Blerta, Elisa, Maksi, Juli, Ermal (integral support in all things)

From the moment I watched the DFK2022 promo video, I knew that I wanted to be a group leader and introduce Belize to this incredible global kindness movement. The LVI training was thorough and group leaders are equipped with everything they need to bring their dance event to fruition. Orly’s help, support and encouragement were extraordinary. This experience took me far out of my comfort zone, but taught me the value of mindfulness and to trust in the process. I was able to improve my communication skills, learn the importance of delegating and I am grateful to now be better equipped to reach my own personal goals in the future. My favorite part was seeing the connection and joy develop between the dancers; our practices were a lot of fun. I also enjoyed the unity and support between the DFK group leaders around the world, all working under different circumstances towards the same goal: creating a culture of kindness. An amazing experience!

The Rotary Club of Ambergris Caye Belize
The San Pedro Town Council
Zen Belize
Tacogirl.com
NateinBelize

This was my first time as DFK leader and was a fantastic experience. First of all, got to know Orly, her ideas, and her wonderful spirit to change the world. This has been so inspiring and to have the chance to invite her to give a talk to our students was incredible. Children were really enthusiastic and interested to be part of this event, having the opportunity to know the person in charge, and giving her time and dedication to talk to us via zoom and share her experiences. Getting involved children, teachers, and families in this event was part of giving a powerful message on the importance of being kind. This also gave us the chance to be in touch with other countries and exchange letters and communication around the world. I would like to thank our head dance teacher Rodrigo Garmendia who helped us to accomplish this dream. We will continue spreading kindness. Kindness is contagious!

Thanks to all participants; students, teachers, art teachers, and music teachers from Saint George’s School, and special thanks to our head dance teacher Rodrigo Garmendia.

To be part of the Dance for Kindness event has been an amazing learning opportunity for me as a school counselor. I was able to work with my students to reach a goal that has a strong cause, kindness. As a group leader, and also because we were short of time when we enrolled, I helped my students to group together in different committees: The organization team, the dance leaders and the production team. Looking at all of them develop different skills while working together was my favorite part. Apart from being aligned with our school values, being part of the event and organizing it helped us develop a warm and comfortable sense of community. We had fun, we enjoyed, we worked together and at the end we reached the goal: Dance for kindness!

We are excited about the coming years and all the amazing things that are left to do in the future.

Calina Bech Lauritsen
Valentina Salinas
Laura Mørup Holdt
Victoria Himmelstrup
Sebastian Diaz
Anders Albrandt Julius
Ida Sottrup-Jensen
Maja Sottrup-Jensen
Karoline Skibelund
Merle Boesen
Lærke Pedersen
Kamile Jasinskaite
Anahita Ahsan
Dana Larez García
Ana Do Amaral
Tinne Kusiani Laue
Laura Windt Lockett
Maren Skovsborg
Fiona Lim
Daniel Bjerregaard
Luka Dumas
Lukas Holte Henman
Bogdan Pislo
Parsa Salehi
Silje Boesen
Leyan Alazzawi
Finally, huge thanks to:
The head of school, Jason Lusby and the admin team
Our EIS students, teachers and teacher’s assistants.