These are trying times for everyone right now. We are all stuck at home, trying our best to stay safe and take care of those around us by practicing social distancing.
Many of us may know someone affected by the coronavirus, either having been exposed or currently experiencing symptoms.
Thankfully, many coronavirus sufferers have now made a full recovery, and one man is helping bring them together — and spread good deeds throughout the world.
With all the spare time we have at the moment, it’s heartwarming to see people using it to come together and help others.
We have all been moved by the stories of kindness around the world in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Talented graphic designer Guy Trefler, has taken this to the next level.
To celebrate those who have overcome the virus, he has designed an amazing range of T-shirts — and the proceeds go directly to charitable causes.
The shirts can be found on his website coronasurvivorshirts.com
You can also follow on Instagram @corona.survivor.2020
These T-shirts are an incredible way to showcase support for other sufferers, while also celebrating the recovery of patients from the virus, and raising hope and morale across the globe.
We caught up with Trefler about the story behind this amazing idea.
“I was so inspired by the acts of kindness around the globe, in response to the coronavirus, that I knew I wanted to make a difference too,” he said.
“Even in these hard times, there’s been a real sense of community, with people coming forward to help others.”
Trefler knew that he had to use his unique skills in a way that could help others and continue to bring people together throughout the pandemic.
“With all of us stuck at home, it can feel very lonely, especially if you have been social distancing for a long time,” he said. “People can start to feel depressed or anxious about what might happen next. That’s why it’s so important to showcase the positive stories, and also use that platform to give back to people in need.”
Trefler decided to put his professional skills to good use.
A successful graphic designer, he designed a range of T-shirts, all with funny and witty slogans about having defeated the coronavirus.
With so much anxiety right now about the spread of the coronavirus, Trefler is playing a key part in keeping up morale by giving those who have recovered a chance to celebrate their triumph over the disease — and keep hope alive for those who may still be suffering.
And it’s not just the spread of positivity that Trefler is keen to stress is part of his project.
For every T-shirt that is bought, 50% goes directly to UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency.
“It’s not just about keeping morale up, though of course that’s important,” he said. “It’s also about using our skills where we can to be helpful and offer practical support for others.”
Through the money raised by these T-shirts, UNHCR will be able to provide essential aid and support to the most vulnerable people affected by this virus.
Trefler is also keen to bring awareness to the amazing work done by the UNCHR.
He wrote on his website that they have “the international mandate to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people, and assist in their voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement to a third country… As COVID-19 spreads rapidly and puts people from all over the world in danger, it doesn’t skip refugees. Imagine going through these hard times with no soap, limited access to food and supplies, and unable to self-isolate.”
Trefler’s vision provides a unique way to help these most vulnerable people.
Trefler highlights how the UNHCR is bringing aid to the people most in need of it.
“UNHCR is delivering lifesaving supplies and support to refugees and displaced people in countries like Bangladesh and Syria,” he wrote. “They ensure clean water and soap are readily available; provide lifesaving information to families; airlift medical aid and hygiene items to areas affected by the virus; increase the number of hand-washing stations in refugee camps; equip health care workers with the supplies and training they need.”
Trefler also brings forward a key thought that has inspired many throughout this pandemic.
“Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, says ‘the worst of crises requires the best of humanity.’”
We have certainly seen this already throughout the world, with acts of kindness dominating the headlines, and stories abound of communities coming together to support each other.
But what about those communities who don’t have the means to support themselves, let alone each other?
That’s where Trefler — and you — come in.
Through purchasing one of these amazing T-shirts, coronavirus survivors are able to come together, supporting one another in celebrating their triumph over the disease.
The positivity spread by highlighting the many people who have made full recoveries, will also help raise spirits and morale across the globe.
But more than that—it can actually change the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in the world.
Trefler stresses the importance of uniting in times like these to help others in a more vulnerable situation.
“Let’s help them together,” Tefler writes on his website about the refugees and other people in need of our help.
Sometimes, these problems can feel insurmountable when dealt with individually, but if these times have taught us anything, it’s that we can move mountains when we come together as a community.
But in order to create that unity, someone needs to take that crucial first step.
Trefler knows one thing for sure — it only takes one act of kindness to cause a chain reaction.
As contagious as coronavirus is, there’s one thing that’s even more contagious—and that’s the act of doing good for others.
As we have seen through so many heartwarming news stories in these times, the more people come together to do good for other people, the more people are inspired to “pay it forward”, and these acts of community and togetherness are spreading faster than any pandemic.
As Trefler encourages people around the world to get involved any way they can, he also stresses that there is scope for keen designers to exercise their own creativity.
“We are also really keen to hear users’ own ideas for new slogans,” he said. “That way even more people can get involved, and they can really personalize their slogans and the messages of positivity they want to get across.”
People can also think of their own taglines for shirts that they might buy as gifts for others.
For Trefler, it’s all about using your skills and natural talent to make the world a better place.
“Everyone can make a difference,” he said. “Everyone has something to offer. If we all pool together our resources—our different skills and talents — we can come together to create enormous opportunities for change.”
And that’ really what it’s all about — making the world a better place.
Even in these difficult times — or perhaps because of them — there’s always something you can do to help others.
People often ask Trefler, how did he come up with design?
“It was very simple really,” he said. “I just thought of funny ways that people are currently dealing with the pandemic, focusing on the small details that we have to be thankful for after recovering from the virus.”
Focusing on the human level of how each person is dealing with the pandemic can help you to see humor in even the most difficult of times, and that’s what these slogans tap into.
“Sometimes, you have to laugh,” he smiled. “We need laughter to stay sane.”
So, what’s next for Trefler and his amazing project?
For now, the graphic designer is focusing on raising awareness of what he’s doing, and hoping to reach as many people as possible across the globe.
With the T-shirts offering free delivery worldwide, there’s no limit to how many people can be part of this amazing project.
We can’t wait to see how many people take part, and the new ideas we may see from users across the world.
During these times of coronavirus, we truly understand the importance of helping others, now more than ever.
