#youth – Anitha Rao-Robinson

Episode 48: Kindness Is Saving Shankar

Published on September 29, 2022 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Seventeen-year-old, Nikita Dhawan is on a mission to free Shankar, a lone African Elephant, from the Delhi Zoo.

Shankar was only two years old when he was taken from his family and deposited into the Delhi Zoo. Now, 26 years old, Shankar has endured endless years of isolation and being chained for 17 hours a day.

Nikita is determined to end Shankar’s suffering by having him live at a sanctuary in South Africa. Though she has obtained funding from The Aspinall Foundation to finance this trip from New Delhi to South Africa, other hurdles are still in the way. Nikita talks about next steps to attain her goal to help Shankar.

A story of perseverance and dedication to helping animals.

If you’d like to support Nikita’s goal to free Shankar from the Delhi Zoo, please sign this petition. https://chng.it/4wfxGb2vBW

To learn more about Nikita and Youth For Animals, check out their website: https://youthforanimals.org/

Here’s a link to the book Nikita mentioned: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09ND4J375/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk

Here’s a link to Nikita’s webinar: https://fb.watch/fORy9zL-L8/

To learn about the Aspinall Foundation and the work they do, click here:

https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/

To learn about Born Free Foundation and the work they do, click here: https://www.bornfree.org.uk/

As a thank you to Nikita for sharing her story, Anitha donated to The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. They are one of Africa’s oldest wildlife charities and a leading conservation organization. They are known as the first and most successful elephant orphan rescue and rehabilitation program in the world. To learn more about The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, click here: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

Episode 47: Kindness Is Healing Animals Big & Small

Published on September 12, 2022 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Dr. Vivek Basu fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian— and what an incredible veterinarian he has become. Vivek donates a lot of his time and skills to help animals of all sizes, near and far.

In addition to talking about what it’s like to treat many different animals—dogs, cats, racehorses, rescued primates and wildlife, we also explore difficult subjects like trophy hunting and the difference between zoos and sanctuaries.

As a thank you for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, one of the sanctuaries where Vivek donates his veterinary skills. This sanctuary provides healing and recovery from trauma for primates who have been rescued from laboratories, roadside zoos and other terrible circumstances.

To learn more about Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, please check out: https://www.storybookmonkeys.org/

Episode 46: Kindness Is Saving Glossies

Published on September 4, 2022 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Spencer Hitchen from Noosa, Australia is dedicated to saving the last remaining Glossy Black Cockatoos.

With Spencer’s help, these beautiful birds have finally been listed as Vulnerable under Australia’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Well done, Spencer!!

This is such an inspiring story of how perseverance, passion and using your voice, can make a positive difference.

To find out more about Spencer and his efforts to help Glossy Black Cockatoos, check out these links:

Email. savesunriseglossies@gmail.com

Instagram @savesunriseglossies and facebook @savesunriseglossies

If you’d like to sign Spencer’s petition to save the glossies, click here:

Petition change.org/saveourglossies

As a thank you to Spencer for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Wildlife VOICE. This non-profit, gives a voice to the decreasing populations of animals and plants. Wildlife VOICE uses education, outreach and scientific research to inspire change.

To learn more about them- check out their website: https://www.wildlifevoice.org/

Episode 45: Kindness Is A Child’s Dream

Published on July 29, 2022 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Chelsea Tanchip has a passion to help kids with disabilities. Though Chelsea and her family emigrated from the Philippines years ago, Chelsea found a way to stay connected with the country and follow her passion through an organization called A Child’s D.R.E.A.M. Foundation. This foundation, provides pediatric therapy for exceptional children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Behavioral Problems, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Language Disorders, Down Syndrome, Giftedness, Hearing and Vision Problems, Learning Disabilities, Intellectual Disability, or Sensory Impairments.

Chelsea volunteers to organize special events for the children. If you’re interested in participating in an author event, contact Chelsea at chelseatanchip@gmail.com

To learn more about A Child’s Dream Foundation, click here: https://www.achildsdreamph.org/

As a thank you to Chelsea for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Young Focus Philippines. This organization is devoted to improving the mental, physical and social well-being of young people in poor communities by means of education, health care and personal support.

To learn more about Young Focus, check out their website: https://www.youngfocus.org/

Episode 44: Kindness Is Sharing Birthdays

Published on July 24, 2022 by anitharobinson1 Comment

Ten-year-old Isla Spisani talks to Anitha about the special way she has been celebrating her past few birthdays.

As a thank you to Isla for sharing her story, Anitha donated to the Burlington Humane Society.

To learn more about the Burlington Humane Society and the work they do to help animals, check out their website: https://burlingtonhumane.ca/

Episode 43: Kindness Is Superheroes and Superstars

Published on July 3, 2022 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Superhero, Liam Wilson and Superstars, Will & Jada Finch, join Anitha to talk about a fundraiser they are all involved with—Superstars 2 Superheroes.

This event takes place on July 10^th in Milton, Ontario. The goal is to raise money for Sick Kids, a hospital located in Toronto, Ontario.

Superheroes are children, like Liam, who have been or are patients of Sick Kids or hospitals in the surrounding area.

Will and Jada, like the other Superstars, are young people who have stepped up and helped their community—rescuing animals, helping people.

Will and Jada actually shared their story of creating Good Will Good Karma on episode 14 of the Kindness Is Everything podcast. If you love animals, definitely check out that episode!

To learn more about Superstars 2 Superheroes, click here: https://www.facebook.com/liamsmission00

To learn more about Liam’s story, check out his website: https://superheromom.ca/

To learn more about Good Will Good Karma, click here: https://www.facebook.com/goodwillgoodkarma/

As a thank you for sharing their story, Anitha donated to Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary. Since it began in 2014, Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary has been dedicated to rescuing abused, neglected and abandoned farmed animals. To learn more about this wonderful organization, check out their website: https://www.happilyeveresther.ca/

Episode 42: Kindness Is The Conservation Kid

Published on June 26, 2022 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

At 12-years old, Cash Daniels is a celebrity. He was a top-five honoree of Time Magazine’s Kid Of The Year.

Cash talks to Anitha about all the initiatives he is involved in to help protect animals, the oceans, and the planet, including making Monofilament Receptacles to store used fishing lines and being the co-founder of The Clean Up Kids.

Cash also talked about the tragedy scheduled to happen on July 9^th in Jupiter, Florida—A shark fishing tournament. Sharks are a protected species. Every year, 100 million sharks are killed. If you would like to help stop this horrific event from taking place, go to and sign the petition: https://www.change.org/p/help-cancel-shark-killing-tournament-in-jupiter-florida

You can follow Cash through his Instagram account: @theconservationkid

As a thank you for sharing his story, Anitha donated to The Clean Up Kids. The Clean Up Kids is a kid-inspired, kid-run not for profit. They are involved in direct action campaigns, speeches, films, interviews, and meetings with officials in positions to help make change happen. The Cleanup Kids realize that engaging youth is the way to make the biggest change.

To learn more about The Clean Up Kids, check out @thecleanupkids

Episode 41: Kindness Is Picking Up Plastic

Published on June 25, 2022 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Fourteen-year old Lilly Platt’s journey into climate activism began in 2015 when they and their grandpa went on a walk in their neighbourhood and decided to count the amount of plastic they saw.

Lilly was shocked by the results—so much plastic in such a small area. This was the incentive to create Lilly’s Plastic Pick Up.

Lilly talks to Anitha not only about this initiative but all the other actions they have taken to help animals and the planet.

To follow Lilly on their journey, check out their Instagram account: @lillys_plastic_pickup

Lilly is truly an extraordinary young person. As a thank you to Lilly for sharing their story, Anitha donated to World Wildlife Fund.

WWF works in nearly 100 countries to tackle the most pressing issues at the intersection of nature, people and climate.

To learn about the work WWF is involved with, check out their website: https://www.worldwildlife.org/

Episode 40: Kindness Is Climate Strikes & More

Published on June 7, 2022 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Molly Hucker began her journey into climate activism in 2019 when she attended her first Climate Strike. Since then, her involvement continues to soar. Molly talks to Anitha about her journey from organizing a climate strike to becoming involved in a project, whose mandate is to include learning about climate change in all aspects of education!

A great episode for anyone who cares about our planet and how we can all make a difference.

You can follow Molly and see all the amazingly kind things she is up to through her Instagram account: @molly.hucker and on Twitter @MollyHucker

As a thank you to Molly for sharing her story, Anitha donated to the Indigenous Climate Network. The ICA works on connecting and supporting Indigenous communities to reinforce their place as leaders driving climate change solutions for today and tomorrow.

To learn more about ICA, please check out their website: https://www.indigenousclimateaction.com/

Episode 39: Kindness Is Fostering

Published on May 7, 2022 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

A lovely story about selfless love. Kimberly Chiang joins Anitha to talk about fostering dogs.

What inspired her to foster dogs, how she manages the heartache of saying goodbye when they leave for their forever home, and so much more.

You can follow the wonderful dogs Kimberly fosters on Instagram @fosterborks

As a thank you for sharing her story, Anitha donated to A Purposeful Rescue. This non-profit saves dogs from high-kill shelters, provides any needed veterinary care and finds them loving homes. To learn more about this rescue, check out their website: https://www.apurposefulrescue.org/