LOVING PEOPLE I BY McKinley Corbley @GOOD NEWS NETWORK
This grandmother may have a new lease on life after a billionaire philanthropist caught wind of her determination to help cyclone victims.
The woman, Plaxedes “Gogo” Dilon, is used to walking long distances around her home for work. The 70-year-old widow makes a living by waking up at 4AM every morning so she can travel across the region selling clothes.
She had just made it back to her home in Harare, Zimbabwe earlier this week when she heard about Cyclone Idai on the radio.
The storm, which is currently being regarded as one of the worst tropical cyclones to hit the Southern hemisphere, blew through parts of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi.
Upon learning about the aftermath of the storm, Dilon immediately filled a bag with kitchen supplies and clothes that she had intended to resell so she could bring it all to a disaster relief area.
Except because she did not have any money for a bus, she walked for 10 miles so she could bring the supplies to the Highlands Presbyterian Church.
The church highlighted her good deed by posting a photo of her and her massive supply bag to social media. After it was shared by thousands of people, it eventually caught the eye of Strive Masiyiwa.
Currently ranked as one of the richest people in Africa by Forbes, Masiyiwa and his company have been leading the emergency response effort to provide aid to the regions afflicted by the cyclone.
Upon reading Dilon’s story on social media, the tech mogul vowed to reward her for her efforts.
“What she did is one of the most remarkable acts of compassion I have ever seen,” wrote Masiyiwa. “When this is over, I’m going to find her, and invite her to come and see me, if possible. Then I will spend time in prayer with her. Then I will build her a house, anywhere she wants in Zimbabwe. It will have solar power and running water. Then I will give her a monthly allowance of $1,000 for life.”
Since Dilon is a great-grandmother of nine and a widow of 11 years, it’s probably quite safe to say that she could use the support – but when asked about her good deed, she simply said that it was her duty as a human being to help other people.
“Being able to feel each other’s pain and to carry each other’s burden is what makes humanity great and better than other species,” the granny told The Sunday Mail with a smile. “What you give out in the world is what you receive back.”