HMD Global, the Home of Nokia phones encourages you share some happiness this International Day of Happiness

International Day of Happiness is celebrated across the globe on the 20^th of March. The day aims to recognise the relevance of happiness on one’s well-being and encourages people across the world to share happiness in their lives and with the people around them. 

 

HMD Global, the Home of Nokia phones, has embarked on various initiatives that aim to spread positivity and joy across the world. Tapping into its roots as Nokia phones were developed in Finland – the happiest country in the world – the team has partnered with various global and local influencers to encourage people to make a positive change in 48 hours with their #48HoursOfChange campaign. 

 

Locally, HMD Global has partnered with professional skateboarder, Jean-marc Johannes and micro-entrepreneur, Buhle Sithela. The pair used the Nokia 8.3 5G to capture how they have brought about change in their respective communities. Jean-marc Johannes shares, “As a professional skateboarder from South Africa, I grew up skateboarding in a challenging environment in the Cape Flats. I aim to showcase the skateboarding talent our communities haveand to donate skateboarding products to skaters that are in need to promote the development of the sport and the abilities of these athletes.”

 

Buhle Sithela who runs a mobile cinema for young children in his community shares how he has made his community a happier place over the South African lockdown period “I wanted to be a part of a project that would make the children of my community happy. While there wasn’t much to do for the kids during lockdown, I found that entertaining them using my mobile cinema not only kept them safe from harm in the streets but also brought hope that it is possible to make a change even with the little that you have” 

 

The #48HoursOfChange campaign aims to encourage people to see what small changes they can make in 48 hours. See how Jean- Marc Johannes and Buhle Sithela are bringing about change and encouraging happiness Nokia Mobile social media channels here: Facebook & Instagram. 

 

How you can spread some happiness

 

Following nearly a year of isolation, interacting with our loved ones and those around us has become a challenge. Despite this, one can still spread some happiness to those in need of some extra cheer. Here are some fun ways to spread some happiness on this International Day of Happiness: 

 

• Give someone around you a sincere compliment: While this may seem like a small gesture, receiving kind words from a friend or stranger may just be the extra cheer someone needs to combat a bad day 
• Spread some cheer using your device - Video calls and phone calls have become a major part of our lives playing their role as the safest way in which we can interact with our loved ones without physically seeing them. Give your video calls a twist by putting on a fun and quirky outfit to help bring some much-needed cheer and laughter to someone around you 
• Offer assistance to the elderly in your community – Community group chats are always a handy tool to help you identify someone in need of assistance. Ask your local street committee to help you identify an elderly couple or individual that you can help with tasks such as grocery shopping or running errands.  
• Lend an ear to a friend or loved one: Navigating the pandemic has made it a challenge to meet up with loved ones and voice our concerns. Our mobile phones have kept us connected through the pandemic and make staying in touch easy. We would all like to be heard once in a while and lending an ear to a friend will not only help them feel validated but will also help them to feel less stressed and may put a smile on their face
• Share an uplifting poem or story with a loved one– HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, has recently launched the Short Moving Stories global initiative, created to be shared with loved ones around the world. After a year in which people worldwide have learnt to slow down and find new ways to stays in touch the HMD global team has made short poems and stories available for free download or sharing at Nokia.com/phones in an effort to spread hope and positivity.

 

Michelle Wynne, HMD Global, Head of Sub Sahara Africa Marketing, said: “Change can be challenging but it can also be incredibly empowering. We want to show people that despite everything that is going on around them, everyone has the ability to facilitate positive change—now and in the future. 

 

At HMD Global we pride ourselves by offering affordable access to technology, making it easier to share stories of positivity and optimism.”

 

*When interacting with others it is always important to remember to follow all COVID-19 safety protocols such as wearing one’s mask, regular hand sanitising and hand washing as well as maintaining a safe social distance.