Abraham Olabegi, 13, learned last year that he was born with a rare blood disorder and required a bone marrow transplant. He received good news about a year later: his transplant was successful, and he qualified for Make-A-Wish, an organization that grants wishes to children with serious illnesses.
Abraham desired a long-lasting wish, and he came up with an idea that he shared with his mother. “I remember coming home from one of his doctor appointments, and he said, ‘Mom, I thought about it, and I really want to feed the homeless,'” Abraham’s mother, Miriam Olagbegi, told CBS News. “‘ Are you sure, Abraham?’ I asked. You have a lot of potential… ‘Are you sure you don’t want a PlayStation?'”
Unlike many other teen boys, Abraham was uninterested in the PlayStation. He was certain of his desire to feed the homeless.
Miriam added that Abraham’s father thought it was a fantastic idea as well. “Of course, we weren’t going to pass up such an opportunity because we always tried to instill giving in our children.”
In September, Make-A-Wish assisted Abraham in organizing a day of free food distribution in Jackson, Mississippi, using food and supplies donated by local businesses. Abraham estimated that they fed about 80 people that day.
“When the homeless people get the plate, some of them come back and sing to us and thank us,” he explained. “And it just feels good, and it warms our hearts. And my parents always taught us that being a blessing is a blessing in itself.”
Abraham’s wish has yet to be fulfilled. Make-A-Wish will assist Abraham in feeding the homeless once a month for a year.
According to the nonprofit organization, the Mississippi chapter will work with Abraham every third Saturday of the month to find local supporters to help supply the food needed to feed up to 80 homeless people. They claimed that a local church and business had already donated two servings.
“We’re just very excited to be able to continue on this endeavor. It’s just so rewarding,” his mom said. “If I was out there on the streets, homeless, I would want somebody at some point to think of me and to do something special for me. So, that’s what I try to instill in my kids and we just try to pay it forward, by doing what we were raised to do.”
