WATCH: Lockdown hobby hunt sparks Ballito Rocks kindness project

Something as simple as searching for a new hobby saw Ballito resident Janine Ferreira spark interest in a movement for kindness that has captured hearts around the world.

Two months ago Janine was scouring the internet for ways to decorate rocks when she stumbled on the Kindness Rocks Project, started by American Megan Murphy in 2015.

Murphy had gone for a walk, hoping for a message or sign from her departed parents.

When no message arrived, she decided to ‘pay it forward’ to the next person needing encouragement.

She picked up a rock, got out a marker pen, and left the first message which read ‘you’ve got this’.

Her rock was found and hidden again and it was not long before the Kindness Rocks Project was born.

It spread like wildfire.

One of the largest groups is the Northeast Ohio Rocks group which has 205 077 members who have painted about 6 million rocks.

The idea is simple: paint a rock with a positive message (no advertising or politics) and the hashtag, in our case #BallitoRocks, and hide it.

When you find a painted rock, photograph it, post to social media and re-hide it. 

Janine had simply wanted to cure her lockdown boredom but soon realised that the initiative could not only help her but bring hope to others affected by lockdown.

A swimming teacher by profession, Janine’s Facebook group ‘Ballito Rocks’ now has 1 429 members and grows daily.

Word is spreading, with other groups starting in Umhlanga, Mtunzini and Springs in Gauteng.

While rocks can be hidden anywhere, Janine says that Clarke Bay and the promenade have been the popular choices.

A walk along the promenade last weekend revealed a huge interest in the painted rocks, with scores of people on the hunt.

Janine estimates thousands of rocks have been painted and hidden by Ballito Rocks.

“I think lockdown was the primary reason for Ballito Rocks’ success. I started it while beaches were closed, but the promenade has since become accessible, so many people were going there daily to get fresh air and exercise.”

“Ballito Rocks not only has given people a creative outlet, but also finding rocks with words of encouragement or uplifting messages gives us hope and reminds us to stay positive.”

The idea remains what Murphy intended in 2015: Spread kindness, happiness and positivity.

Contacted by the Courier at her Massachusetts home, Murphy said she had also joined the Ballito Rocks group on Facebook after the Courier told her of its existence.

“I am looking forward to seeing all of the amazing things the group is doing in the Ballito community,” she said.

“I never imagined that my personal hobby during a time of crisis in my own life would generate so much attention and turn into this international grassroots kindness initiative. I think it is beyond beautiful that it has and, that it is helping so many heal as a form of art therapy and kindness at a time our world needs it most.”

Megan said she receives hundreds of stories each day of how such a simple act of kindness was impacting many people’s lives. 

“One message, at just the right time, can change someone’s entire day, or even outlook in life. And that is exactly what this initiative is doing.”

To find out more about the Ballito Rocks initiative, simply join the group on Facebook.

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