Hello - a small word that can make a huge difference to someone who is alone.
It did for Sara Damber, the person who in 1997 founded Friends. She was bullied in school herself and had no friends. But one day, a boy in her class started to say hello (“hej” in Swedish) to her. He said hello and he saw her. That small word broke the dark, downward spiral of bullying that Sara found herself in. It also gave her the strength she needed to start Friends, which is now the largest organization working to prevent bullying in Sweden.
We like to begin our educational sessions by sharing Sara’s story. While bullying prevention requires a systematic, and long-term approach, something as simple as showing kindness, looking someone in the eye, and saying “Hello” is always a great beginning. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. And by saying “Hello” to someone who’s alone, you can make all the difference in the world to that person.
Together we create change!