Maureen Marshall shared the heartwarming tale of Peter, who she helped with a bicycle so he could save R200 a week on transport.
South Africa (19 November 2024) – Transport is expensive so for Peter, who is working to survive in South Africa and support his family in Malawi, saving R200 a week thanks to pedal powered transport was a gift he never imagined he could afford. Maureen Marshall shared how she had spruced up an old bicycle for Peter but was gutted to hear he got robbed of his treasured transportation.
Determined to help Peter continue saving money and get him back on the road, Maureen reached out to her community for help.
She reached out to Good Things Guy to share the heartwarming story of how a simple gesture, using a bicycle that was just collecting dust, changed Peter’s life once again.
“Peter who works for me and supports his entire family in Malawi. To save R200 a week I reconditioned a very good bike for him. It was his pride and joy and his trip to me is a 40 kms round trip. He was cycling home a few days ago and was mugged and his beautiful bike stolen. He was devastated.
I jumped into action to help. I put a request out to every group I had on WhatsApp. I asked for any contributions of second hand bikes for sale. On the same day I got a call from a lady asking if Peter would like their amazing mountain bike that her husband no longer used. I went to collect the bike and it is absolutely amazing. I cleaned it up and when Peter came to work I blindfolded him took him into the garden and had covered the bike with a blanket.
He was overwhelmed and just cried.. He thought never again would he own a bike.”
For Maureen, the effort of uniting her community in support of Peter was a small act of kindness, but for Peter, it’s a life changing effort that helps him greatly.
Having tragically lost his roommate to suicide, Peter has been facing heartache and being left alone, isolated from his family, this kindness proved to be a soothing salve for his pain, helping him navigate one of his darker moments in life.
“It doesn’t take much to bring joy back into someone’s life . He is a remarkable young man living under dreadful circumstances.
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I was overjoyed to bring something positive into Peter’s life . I am sure this is one of millions of stories but there are still good people out there with love and compassion for those of us less fortunate.”
Sharing the kindness, Maureen hopes to inspire others to put in a small effort, to make a big difference. The kindness you have to share, may just need a good dusting off, some fresh air in the tyres and a re-greasing of gears. Or, it could be as simple as a peanut butter sarmie and a bottle of water in your car for someone in need.
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