This is a story that will hopefully change your perspective on charity and where true wealth, success and happiness lies.
Meet 99 year old Dobri Dobrev, better known as Grandpa Dobri. While he asks strangers for money, he is far from a typical beggar. Although he lost most of his hearing in the second world war, he is still a contributor to his community in ways unimaginable.
Every day Dobri walks 25 kilometers from his village of Bailovo in Bulgaria in his homemade clothes and leather shoes to the city of Sofia, where he spends the day begging for money. However, there is more to this beggar than meets the eye. This is his story:
Most likely Dobri’s good deeds will remain a secret. Rumour has it he’s also helped numerous needy people living in shelters. Yet, he doesn’t want to talk about it. “I’ve given some money to churches and monasteries, yes,” Dobri says when asked, “but I do not brag, as bragging is a devil’s deed”.
He has saved a whole monastery from starvation one winter. Just as the sisters of the monastery learnt there was no money left to pay the electricity bill, the door opened and the old man offered coins without saying much.
He has managed to help the restoration of many temples, yet it has never occurred to him he could live in a different way. “God always helps us, a lot!” he says.
Dobri could have used the money he collected to change his own life. He doesn’t have to spend his days on the streets, but he does, just so he can give all of his money to children without families.
Thank you Dobri, for everything you have done. Others need to see what he does for children. Please share this story.