...An Inspiring True Life Story of A Boy Whose Kindness Carved Paths of Promise
It all began on an ordinary day when a boy, barely out of school, walked past a construction site. The sun was blazing, and the hustle of workers was tangible in the air. There, amidst the dust and noise, he noticed something a group of workers struggling with a measurement. As an expert in engineering, his sharp eyes caught the flaw in their calculations. They were off by just a fraction, but enough to cause delays. Without a second thought, he stepped forward.
“Let me help,” he said, offering his expertise with a calm confidence. The workers, unsure at first, welcomed his offer. He took the measuring tape and quickly recalculated, fixing the mistake with a precise stroke of his hand. It was nothing extraordinary to him just a moment of kindness, a moment where he saw others struggling and offered a solution. But to them, it was a lifeline.
His simple act of lending a hand that day would be the spark that ignited the fire of his future. What started as a mere gesture of goodwill turned into a turning point. Word spread fast on the site this boy knew his stuff. The Arab engineer in charge noticed. He watched the boy, and saw in him not just skill, but something deeper: integrity, precision, and a willingness to help without asking for anything in return.
A few weeks passed, and the boy, fresh out of university, was working as the overall survey assistant for the Enugu state transport terminal project a job that was meant to be a stepping stone in his career. But his journey didn’t stop there. The Arab engineer, impressed by his expertise, called him in one day. “I’ve seen the way you work,” he said. “How would you like to take over the Gariki project as the site engineer?”
His heart raced, but it was not the position that made his hands tremble it was the sheer weight of what the offer meant. He had replaced someone with years of experience, but he stepped up, confident that his work would speak for itself. However, there was a catch: his salary, still that of a fresh graduate, was a modest 100k. But he didn’t let that deter him. He was determined to make the project a success.
In the days that followed, he faced the typical temptations: overbilling, mismanagement, and the temptation to cut corners. But he refused. Instead, he found ways to streamline costs, to make sure that every penny spent was justified. Where others saw an opportunity to steal, he saw an opportunity to save. By the end of his time working with the Arab engineer, he had saved the project a staggering 578 bags of cement and 9.8 million Naira. His reputation grew, not for what he had taken, but for what he had given integrity, honesty, and dedication to the work.
The project wrapped up, and with it, he thought his time on the site had ended. But as the new year dawned, a phone call came this time from the manager of the main contractor. A Canadian number flashed on his screen. “Mr. Fadi says you are someone we can trust,” the voice on the other end said. "Would you be interested in handling the finishing work on the project?"
The boy now a man smiled. This was the reward of his kindness, the product of a life lived with integrity. He accepted the offer and submitted his proposal. Just like that, he was back on the project, now with an even greater responsibility and a broader canvas to prove his worth.
His story is a lesson: Can you say a truth today? Can you not cheat today? Can you keep a clear record today? These simple acts, these small choices, carve the path for a life of greatness. It’s not about the big gestures but the quiet moments, when no one is watching, that build trust and lay the foundation for success.
The boy who offered his help on a dusty construction site now finds himself at the helm of an important project, leading with the same kindness that once helped him rise. He had no idea that a single, small act would change his life, but he learned a valuable lesson: He who cannot be trusted with a little, cannot be trusted with much. His integrity paved the way for everything he now holds. And in the end, the world gave him back what he gave it: trust, respect, and endless opportunities.
And so, as the project nears completion, he stands at the forefront, knowing that his kindness has not only turned his life around but also opened doors that he had once only dreamed of.
This Boy is simply called "Engr Tim"
Story Teller; Felix Obi PhD
Photos photos of Engr Tim:
