Former child refugee reunited with aid worker who gifted her a bike 24 years ago
A 29-year-old woman had posted on Twitter that she wanted to know the name of the man who gifted her a bike when she was five years old.
Mevan Babakar reuniting with the aid worker who gifted her a bike 24 years ago has been the most talked story on the internet. Babakar was just five years old, when she was living at a refugee camp in Zwolle, the Netherlands after she left with her parents from Iraq during the Gulf war. The 29-year-old is now working with an independent fact-checking charity in London.
Babekar tweeted on August 12 with a picture of a man who had helped the refugees at the camp. She just wanted to know his name.
Twitter got in action and her request was retweeted multiple in a matter of time. She followed it up with another post of her childhood photo, back when she was five.
She also received comments on what will she do when she will meet him to which she had replied as mentioned in the tweet below.
Hi internet, this is a longshot BUT I was a refugee for 5 yrs in the 90s and this man, who worked at a refugee camp near Zwolle in the Netherlands, out of the kindness of his own heart bought me a bike. My five year old heart exploded with joy. I just want to know his name. Help? pic.twitter.com/XzUgHzllYb
— Mevan | Ù Ûڤا٠(@MeAndVan) August 12, 2019
For those wondering here what five year old Mevan looked like. This was my fifth birthday in the refugee camp in Zwolle. She doesn't even know that an incredible bike is coming her way aaaany day now! pic.twitter.com/caZ6NGFh55
— Mevan | Ù Ûڤا٠(@MeAndVan) August 12, 2019
100 RTs in 30 mins, thank you all so much ð
— Mevan | Ù Ûڤا٠(@MeAndVan) August 12, 2019
Was asked what I'd do if I found him. Honestly I'd cry my eyes out. There was so much hardship at that point in our lives and this was such a generous act, it taught me kindness can exist everywhere, no matter how terrible it may seem https://t.co/ccr2XYQUlL
After 3,000 retweets and many more messages, Babekar finally found the kind man. His name is Egbert, now living in Germany.
Not only did I find him, but I've also had other refugees reach out to me and tell me that him and his wife helped them too! Their kindness has touched so many lives. One woman said "they weren't friends to me, they were family"https://t.co/xMFJiiwktp
— Mevan | Ù Ûڤا٠(@MeAndVan) August 13, 2019
WE FOUND HIM!! A thread ðð
— Mevan | Ù Ûڤا٠(@MeAndVan) August 13, 2019
After 3000 RTs, 3 news articles, 1 video and thousands of wonderful messages from around the world, @Arjen78 made contact with the family!
Guys, I knew the internet was great but this is something else. https://t.co/H4qmL1uVqQ
Without wasting further time she got all packed and went straight to meet him, she posted various images on her way to his place. She even got him a card with a person riding on a bicycle.
Umm so what kind of card do you buy the man who bought you a bike 24 years ago? Not sure hallmark make that one. pic.twitter.com/dtFsOodjdA
— Mevan | Ù Ûڤا٠(@MeAndVan) August 13, 2019
She didn't forget to get the mandatory selfie when she met him and discovered that he had a wonderful family. He was glad that the bike became the key to bringing them together.
This is Egbert. He's been helping refugees since the 90s. He was so happy to see me. He was proud that I'd become a strong and brave woman. He said that was his wish for me when I was small. He grows orchids. He has a beautiful family. He said it felt like I'd never left. pic.twitter.com/WlDWm2seVh
— Mevan | Ù Ûڤا٠(@MeAndVan) August 13, 2019
He thought the bike was too small a gesture to make such a big fuss about but he's really glad that it was the key to bringing us together again.
— Mevan | Ù Ûڤا٠(@MeAndVan) August 13, 2019
He says he doesn't smile in photos so we took a serious one together instead. pic.twitter.com/8UoaqLf1nI
Her fairy tale became the most inspiring story on Twitter and many of them even called it one of the most positive stories.

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