21/12/2018
I read an interesting article on the BBC News website today. You can read it too, by simply clicking on the image of Zeal Akaraiwai below.
Zeal Akaraiwai is a financial adviser in Lagos, Nigeria. He is also, genuinely, a Good Samaritan.
We hear about some wealthy people in the UK and other Western countries paying huge amounts to specialised accountants, in order to find aggressive ways to avoid paying their fair dues in tax. So hearing about individuals such as Zeal who go out of their way to help those less fortunate than them; it's heartwarming.
We can each do small things to help others. We can 'Pay It Forward' (do watch the film if you haven't already) in small ways. The little things count. One of my really small actions this year was paying for the parking of a family struggling to find the change for the parking meter at Basingstoke's Festival Place. The cost was insignificant, but the reaction of the parents was wonderful. Not only did they appear genuinely surprised and thankful, but they immediately said they would 'Pay It Forward'. Earlier in the year, when shopping in my local Co-Op, there were a couple of children who had been sent to the shop with their mother's contactless debit card to buy sweets (or at least that's what they said...) and couldn't get it to work. Rather than leave them struggling, I used my own card to pay the bill for them. I can't remember how much it was, but I think it was about £3-£4. I doubt the children will remember it for long, but the others in the queue for the self service tills (and the staff who saw me do it) may well think to do something similar in the future.
These small things are important. They're not as jaw-droopingly amazing as the actions of Zeal Akaraiwai, but they show others that we care and are willing to do something to help others.
This Christmas, why not take the opportunity to step in when you see someone in need of help. It doesn't have to cost a lot, and it does really give you a warm feeling inside.
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