KUWAIT: Unlike her peers, who spent most of their time with friends, Melanie Abou Saleh’s childhood memories were mostly around her school’s cleaners whom she felt were always neglected. When she was in third grade, she would wait for lunchtime to sit with them, share her snacks, and eagerly approach them with paintings she had drawn just for them. “People often dismiss these helpers, perceiving them as less than human,” she said.

Observing the mess left in the bathroom by other girls during her visit and hearing them say, “The nanny will clean it up; it’s fine,” motivated her to initiate the change she wanted to see. Now 17 years old, Abou Saleh has always taken the time to learn the names of the staff, spent time with them, and often listened to their stories, goals, and dreams in life. “Listening to their stories isn’t something that happens every day, so small gestures can have a big impact,” she said.

Through these conversations, she learned to never judge anyone by their occupation, recognizing the importance of every job, no matter how simple it seems. For instance, she learned from the school nurse’s helper that although she aspired to be a nurse, she had to take on her current role to support her family. “But you are still helping people here,” Abou Saleh told her, which brought her genuine happiness. “Everyone should respect other people’s jobs and their place in life, especially when they don’t know their backgrounds,” she believes.

Melanie Abou Saleh

Every year, from third grade until her senior year, Abou Saleh, half German, returned from Germany for Christmas with a bag of souvenirs just for the school’s workers. Chocolates, flowers, and special notes would brighten their days for weeks. “The smiles I saw on their faces were irreplaceable,” she said. She has consistently promoted kindness to helpers through her involvement in Model United Nations, various non-profit organizations, and volunteering activities. Abou Saleh encouraged others to participate through donations or small acts of kindness and shared her message through public talks.

With the launch of the “Be Kind to Helpers Organization,” she aims to extend her initiative internationally, making a global impact by forming connections with people in low-wage sectors in every country she visits, and encouraging others to do the same. “This type of kindness is contagious,” she believes.

“I don’t want to be the exception,” she said. Abou Saleh challenges everyone driving or walking in the street or at school to take a moment to greet the cleaners they meet, to learn their names, and to ask about their stories. “Really listen to them and understand who they are. You’ll never know what connection you might make, whether you’ll gain a lifelong friend or even save that person’s life one day,” she said.