estonia's "bank of happiness"--kindness is the currency
(I just encountered this from a website called kindspring--all about positive, affirming, loving acts, people, thoughts, etc)
At Estonia's Bank Of Happiness, Kindness Is The Currency
Estonia's capital, Tallinn, is considered one of the world's leading , where the government and businesses alike rely heavily on computer technology.
But one group in the Estonian capital is using the Internet for something completely different: an online forum that markets good deeds.
. . .
Juan Pablo Gonzalez, a science and math teacher in San Diego, posted an offer to teach urban planting, including hydroponic techniques. He and his wife were inspired by the site and offered to help by translating it into Spanish.
Courtesy of Juan Pablo Gonzalez
It's called the Bank of Happiness, but it doesn't involve money or credit. Founded five years ago in this Baltic city, it's a forum in which more than 2,000 civic-minded individuals from Estonia and other countries connect to offer or receive services free of charge.
The site carries more than 500 ads in English, German and Estonian from people offering or seeking all kinds of things, including tutoring, tips on baking and business, and even juggling lessons. The website is also translated into French and Spanish.
Founder Airi Kivi says the goal is to make people think and act with their hearts.
"I thought, 'We need something like this Bank of Happiness, where people can meet each other and do something cool,' " says the 39-year-old Kivi, who is a family therapist and clinical psychologist.
The fact that the Estonian economy was in shambles at the time — 2008 — didn't factor into her decision, Kivi says.
"But a little bit later, I thought, 'Wow, [the] Bank of Happiness is perfect for this economic crisis and a lot of people are unemployed and they can use our bank,' " she adds.
Ryan Iverson of Lebanon, Ore., turned to the Bank of Happiness for assistance with writing a grant proposal related to a type of stove he designed. It's made from recycled propane tanks, which are costly to prepare safely.
. . .
So how does it work? It's simple: You register using your real name and post what you are offering or what your need is, as long as it doesn't involve cash or products.
. . .
The site has many more offers of help than requests for it. That's as it should be, Kivi says, adding that the bigger reward comes from giving.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/07/18/200869850/At-Estonias-Bank-Of-Happiness-Kindness-Is-The-Currency
