Walls of Kindness - Don't Waste

I “Walls of Kindness” (Walls of Kindness, in Persian divar-e mehrabani) were born in Iran, where social injustice and discrimination (especially against women) are very high. It is a real movement, which started in the city of Mashhad, in northeastern Iran, and then spread like wildfire throughout the country.

It works like this: on a public wall a writing is painted in very bright colours which reads like this: “If you need it, take it; if you don’t need it, leave it.” Below the writing are hanging hooks or shelves where people can leave clothes, shoes, food, household products. And whoever is in difficulty can take what you need, remaining anonymous and without wasting time on bureaucratic procedures.

From Iran to Italy. There are several Walls of Kindness in our country too.

Wall of Kindness in Milan

A wall of kindness has also landed in Milan, behind the Monumental Cemetery, with excellent feedback from local residents, who have filled it with warm clothing, coats, shoes, as well as books and essential items to cope with the cold weather emergency. All items are available 24/24.

The Milanese wall of Via Luigi Nono, prepared and managed by a specific structure, The Temple of the Lost Future, which brings together various solidarity and cooperation associations within a former factory. The space operators assure those who come driven by need that, along with clothes and books, they can also get smiles and hugs.

Walls of Kindness Iran — Wall of Kindness Milan - Image from Sky Tg24 // photo credits: Sky Tg24

Wall of Kindness in Trento

The Wall of Kindness of Piazza Fiera, in Trento, looks like a giant wardrobe, where anyone can leave their unwanted winter clothes. The project, led by the municipal Youth Policy Office, combines art and solidarity: the Wall was decorated with a mural by artist Senka Semak depicting a corridor in space in which white balloons float, carrying various items of clothing. This symbolism is more than fitting, since the balloon, due to its inherent characteristics, lightness and of being carried by the current, lends itself well to representing the concept of giving without receiving.

Wall of Kindness in Pistoia

A space where you can take coats and scarves to protect yourself from the cold: it is the Wall of Kindness of Pistoia, promoted by the youth of theMarco Mungai Fund Association which covered the costs of setting up the space created in the San Giorgio Library.

Wall of Kindness in Cerreto Sannita

The walls of solidarity have also arrived in Campania, Cerreto Sannita, thanks to Caritas and the local diocese, whose walls house coats, down jackets and winter clothes to protect people from the long winter.

walls kindness Iranians used clothes help poor — Wall of Kindness, Desio. Photo taken from the Facebook page of the Desio Città Aperta association.

Wall of Kindness in Bari

The Wall of Kindness has also arrived in the Apulian capital, where anyone can leave or take clothes or blankets. The space is managed by the volunteer association InConTra and is located in Balenzano Square, where in the evening dinner is also served to those living on the streets.

Wall of Kindness in Foggia

In Foggia, near the parish of San Paolo Apostolo (Piazza Giovanni XXIII), there is a wall with shelves and hooks for clothes to be dropped off and picked up.

Wall of Kindness in Catania

In Catania, on Corso Sicilia, at the corner of Piazza della Repubblica, there's a Kindness Wall where you can leave hats, gloves, scarves, and coats, as long as they're in good condition.

walls of kindness — *Photo credits: Latina Today*

(Photo credits for the cover image: I Press/Image sources accompanying the text: Twitter – Instagram – Facebook unless otherwise indicated)

Walls of Kindness: where coats, clothes, blankets are left and those in need can take them