Zola has spent the last two weeks walking to the Animal Welfare Society in Phillipi so he can visit Amari; the team surprised him with a donated bicycle so he won’t have to do the hour-long walk anymore.
Philippi, South Africa (20 June 2022) – The story of Amari and Zola continues to inspire. Thousands of people have reached out to offer Zola a helping hand after he rescued Amari, and over the weekend, he received some of the gifts sent his way.
Zola Mceka first won over the hearts of South Africans earlier this month when we shared his story about rescuing Amari from a dumping site in Philippi.
If you missed it, this is his story, one that highlights the purity of heart.
Living hand-to-mouth, Zola works where he can and earns enough to make it through each day. One day, while walking past the local dump in Phillipi, he noticed a puppy that looked to be very ill. He knew he needed to help and walked past the dump each day, coaxing the dog closer with bits of food and kind words.
The pair eventually bonded, and the dog trusted Zola enough to be picked up. Zola picked up his beloved friend and went straight to the local animal rescue centre, which is the Animal Welfare Society of SA (AWS SA) in Phillipi. Zola was determined to get his friend, who he named Amari, the help she needed.
Due to her deteriorated state, her treatment would be extensive. Not wanting to leave it to the organisation, Zola asked if he could contribute to her care. He insisted that this was his responsibility and offered to pay a weekly amount of R20 towards her bill for as long as it takes. Being a man with very little, this gesture moved the entire team.
While he made the financial offer, he also kept one of his other promises and has visited Amari nearly every day since she was taken in by AWS SA. He walked kilometres through the rain last week to see her. He had no means of transport, so walking was his only option. He walks from New Cross Roads no matter what, to make sure she knows he still loves her and is loyal to her.
When Zola arrived this weekend, he was gifted a previously loved bicycle which was donated by one of his many supporters. The bicycle went along with the safety gear needed to be road safe. This donation will improve his life significantly as he will be able to get around much faster.
“We cannot think of anyone more deserving of everyone’s kindness than Zola Mceka who went to extraordinary lengths to save a little crossbreed dog named Amari.
Since her admission Zola has been to visit her almost every day.
This entails an hour-long walk from his humble home in New Crossroads to our HQ in Philippi.
On those days that he was unable to make it he borrowed a friends phone and called to see how she was doing.
Yesterday morning Zola was gifted an almost new bicycle and cycling helmet from one of the many thousands of individuals who have been touched by this remarkable story.
Zola was overjoyed to receive the bicycle because it will half his travelling time and double the amount of time he gets to spend with Amari.
Thank you to everyone for helping this super-special someone”