Schoolyard note thanking son of NDP’s Ravi Kahlon inspires people around the world

DELTA (NEWS 1130) — A note passed between children at a Delta elementary school is inspiring thousands of people after going viral online.


NDP MLA and Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation Ravi Kahlon calls it a proud dad moment when his 10-year-old son befriended a new student at his school and received a note thanking him earlier this week.

“There was this young child that is in his class that was sitting by himself so he and a friend decided to see how he was doing, and sat down and talked with him throughout the lunch,” he says. “When I got home my son was really proud and said ‘my new friend gave me this note dad’, and so I opened it up and literally tears started flowing down my eyes. Parents always want their child to win trophies and do great things and that note was the best trophy a parent can ask for.”

Kahlon adds the student was grateful and excited to make friends at his new school.

“I spoke with the child’s mom and she said he was absolutely glowing that he had a friend at school and someone to talk with.”

Since posting it online, the post has gotten nearly half a million likes on Twitter with reactions from celebrities like Paul Stanley and even Oprah.


However, Kahlon’s young son isn’t exactly aware of the impact brought on by his act of kindness.

“The truth is my son has no idea what’s happening on social media. We haven’t told him and we didn’t want to because there’s so much innocence in kids. The last thing we wanted to do was have them worry about tweets and likes and who is saying what, so we let them be,” he says. “But he did find out from a friend and he said to me yesterday after school, he said ‘Dad, my friend’s parents told him that John Horgan had retweeted me and some woman named Oprah. Is that the same one that owns the TV station? So, it’s adorable the innocence that comes with it but the whole thing is unbelievable.”

He adds given the current difficulties due to COVID-19, the simple act of friendship resonated with a lot of people.

“I think that’s why it caught on so much. I think the world really needs a little bit of hope and kindness. Certainly, on social media, we can see how nasty it can be and to find kids show us how it should be done, I think it hit close to home for a lot of people, anyone who has been bullied or who felt alone can relate with this little boy for writing this note,” he says. “I was just as proud of this little boy for having the courage to put his thoughts and feelings on a piece of paper and put it out there like that, it’s amazing.”

As for the outpouring of support, Kahlon says it’s humbling to see so many people relate and react to his son’s actions.

“People message all the time, saying Jennifer Aniston liked the tweet, Gabrielle Union liked it. I told my partner, we are not telling our son what’s going on until Obama tweets it. He knows a little bit, his friends told him at school. One day it’ll be a heck of a story for him when he’s older.”

Since the simple act of kindness, Kahlon says his son has spent his lunch hours with his new friend.

“I asked him if he talked to the student again, and he said, “yeah we did, we talked at lunch”. I didn’t push it, but I hope there’s a long friendship that emerges from this,” he says. “It was so innocent, that’s what jumped out to me. I think of when I was a child and was bullied, I don’t think I would have had the courage to put my thoughts down on paper. This next-generation, they’re going to be alright. They’re going to do big things.”

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today