By Canisius Mushibwe
A story AEM posted last month of Emmanuel Tuloe, a Liberian motorbike rider who was being mocked and threatened for returning US$ 50,000 to the owner after she lost it; is havingthe last laugh.
His honest deeds have paid off with scholarships and sponsorships chasing the teenager. Last month the West African teenager came across a stack of cash in a sachet by the roadside equivalent to about 100,000 Liberian Dollars while running his daily routine of riding people around in his hometown of Tappita.
Following this incident, Tuloe, heard a businesswoman Musu Yancy, on one of the local radio stations lamenting and pleading over her lost money.
The 18-year-old, rather than seeing the US$50,000 as a sign of miracle money landing directly on his laps, decided to contact the radio station to return the cash to the owner.
His actions were ridicued by some of his friends, colleagues and others as they thought he wasted an opportunity that would have gotten him out of poverty.
During an interview with WB-TV, Tuloe revealed that he was teased by some of his friends for his actions but the young rider was determined to uphold his integrity and did not regret what he did.
“Since my decision, whenever I have a breakdown on the highway and some of my rider friends see me, they don’t help. They say I acted stupid to find and return the money” , Tuloe narrated.
Emmanuel Tuloe
But like a farmer planting good seed in the right season, Tuloe’ gesture was an investment that has yielded great fruits for his future.
The teenager dropped out of school in the seventh grade to help out his family financially. This prompted him to start operating as a motorcycle taxi rider. However, the young man said the business did not offer any long term benefits.
Upon learning of Tuloe’s actions, the country’s president was going to honour him. Tuloe hoped of fulfilling his wishes to go back to school. Tuloe encouraged many other motorcycle drivers who dropped out of school to go back to their books.
“I will ask him (Liberian president) to encourage other young people to leave motorcycling and go to school because there’s nothing in it [the motorcycle taxi operation],”, Tuloe said.
Emmanuel Tuloe
Later on Liberian President George Weah and his family offered Tuloe a scholarship to study at his preferred school in Liberia and committed to seeing him through to a master’s level.
In addition to the sponsorship, the teenager was given US$10,000 and two new motorcycles.
But President Weah was not the only one who offered assistance to Tuloe as Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina reached out to the 18 year old for a scholarship opportunity after hearing about his deeds.
It is reported that the college offers sponsorship to two Liberian students every four years. The school President Jimmy Jenkins said in a statement that clearly understands that education is the surest vehicle for upward mobility globally.
“He could have asked for anything from his country’s president, but what he wanted most was to finish his education. He is a beacon of hope for his generation and for his country. We would be proud to have him among our student population,” Jenkins said.
Jimmy Jenkins
The owners of the returned cash, Yancy also gave Tuloe money and materials worth about US$1,500 in which the 18-year old told the media that he would give to the grandmother.
As an African saying goes, no good deed goes unrewarded.
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED & RELATED:
TEEN CYCLIST WHO RETURNED LOST US $50,000 TO OWNER RIDICULED
1 Comment
He follows his conscience and that his best.Keep it up