Close Ad

13-Year-Old Sells Tea on the Street in the Cold for Earthquake Victims - University Awards Him a Full Scholarship
IUS Awards Scholarship to Teen Who Sold Tea for Earthquake Victims
Everyday Heroes

13-Year-Old Sells Tea on the Street in the Cold for Earthquake Victims - University Awards Him a Full Scholarship

"He is an example of what humankind should do in difficult moments."

Last month the world watched in horror as a catastrophic earthquake rocked Turkey and Syria, killing more than 50,000 people and causing widespread destruction.

Among those watching was 13-year-old Bosnian Benjamin Mehanovic.


After witnessing the devastation on television with his family, Benjamin decided he wanted to do something to help.

How a Young Boy Helped Provide Much-Needed Aid to Earthquake Victims

Benjamin started his own aid campaign in the best kid-way possible — by setting up a small tea stand on the streets of his hometown, Sarajevo.

His mission? To raise funds for the babies and children affected by the earthquake.

The industrious 8th grader told the Anadolu Agency: "I saw the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria on television. Then I had the idea to set up a tea stand. I also invited my friends to join me and proposed to donate the money collected to the local aid organization Pomozi.ba or use it to buy the needed baby products."

Armed with a small folding table, a homemade sign, and his huge heart to keep him warm, Benjamin braved the cold for 4 hours a day, selling tea for 50 cents a cup.

He raised more than $100 in two days (that's over 200 cups of tea!). He then used his earnings to purchase diapers, baby food, and personal hygiene products such as toothbrushes and toothpaste.

His efforts didn't go unnoticed.

How $100 Turned Into a Full-Ride Scholarship

young boy receives university scholarship
Benjamin Mehanović | IUS

Benjamin's selfless act of kindness caught the attention of the Foundation for Education Development Sarajevo and the International University of Sarajevo (IUS).

University administrators invited him to the IUS campus and surprised the young philanthropist with a special ceremony during which they awarded him a full scholarship.

Something they feel is well-deserved.

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yıldırım, IUS Rector said of Benjamin: “He is a little boy who has a big heart. He is an example of what humankind should do in difficult moments. Benjamin has already become a part of the IUS family and he proves that one person can change the world.”

RELATED:Elderly Neighbor Calls the Cops on a 9-Year-Old Black Girl Because He Was “Scared” – Then Yale University Takes Over

Benjamin plans on using the scholarship toward a medical degree, hoping to become a doctor. "I would like to be a medical student because I like to help people," he said.

For now, he may only be 13 years old but he's already making a difference in the lives of those who are suffering.

While many of us think about doing something, Benjamin didn't hesitate to take action. He saw a need and he immediately did what he could to help fill it. He truly is an inspiration and a reminder that we all have the power to help each other no matter how young or old we are.

Turkey and Syria are still reeling from the devastating effects of the earthquake. According to the U.N. more than 7 million children were affected. Over 850,000 are still in need of humanitarian support.

Donations can still be made through various organizations including the Red Cross and Unicef.

Hot Stories

Why Paul Walker Left His Only Daughter With Vin Diesel

Vin Diesel & Paul Walker were more than just friends, they were …

content.jwplatform.com

When the tragic news of Paul Walker's death surfaced, the world was left in shock. As one of the most beloved stars of the Fast and Furious franchise, his passing was felt deeply by fans around the globe. But perhaps the most devastating impact was felt by his daughter, Meadow Walker, who was left without a father.

Keep ReadingShow less
Life Stories
cracker barrel waitress in tears
Cracker Barrel Server Left in Shock After a Group of Diners Leave Her a $1,200 Tip (1)

There are many mixed opinions when it comes to tipping. But the reality is that many servers rely on tips to make a decent living, working hard to ensure customer satisfaction with each and every meal.

But even the best of servers don’t expect their patrons to go above and beyond like this group of diners did one day in Georgia.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his parents Randi and Pat
Archive

Make no mistake about it: Patrick Mahomes is the face of the NFL. The Tyler, Texas native is the son of Pat Mahomes, a former Major League Baseball player, and Randi Martin.

He burst onto the scene in 2018 when he made history by throwing 50 touchdown passes and 5,000 yards in a single season — a record he shares with Peyton Manning. He followed up his initial success by leading the Kansas City Chiefs to an incredible victory at Super Bowl LIV. If that wasn’t enough, he carried the team through to yet another Super Bowl the very next year, though they ended up losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mahomes has gone to two more Super Bowls since and he's won back-to-back titles (2023 and 2024).

Keep ReadingShow less
Family