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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Molly Dowrick

The thoughtful nine-year-old boy who spent all his money giving retired ladies roses on Valentine's Day

A nine-year old youngster has been praised for spending "all the money he has" on flowers for retired ladies in the community. Karim and his parents and siblings moved to Swansea from their native Lebanon seven years ago.

And Karim told his parents that he wanted to do something on Valentine's Day to thank a group of local ladies for being friendly and welcoming to him and his family.

Sharing a video of the moment Karim gave flowers to the women, director of The People's Library, David Jones said: "On Tuesday a nine-year-old boy named Karim spent all his money - every penny - buying roses to give to a group of retired ladies who meet at Christ Well Church in Manselton each Tuesday afternoon. I asked him why, and he told me it was because 'these ladies are always nice to his family' and he wanted to say thank you for that!"

The People's Library is an organisation that brings people from different backgrounds together to work or volunteer on a range of creative and community projects in and around Swansea. Karim's family regularly volunteer at various People's Library community projects, including supporting older people and people with disabilities, David explained. For more about The People's Library, visit the organisation's website here.

Read more: 24 incredible pictures showing how Swansea looked 100 years ago

"The family volunteer to help on my community projects and they've brought their kids up to be kind and respectful to everyone," he added. "Karim's infectious kindness and enthusiasm endears him to all who meet him!"

Smiley Karim loves living by the sea (The People's Library)
The ladies were quick to give Karim a hug and a kiss to thank him for the roses! (The People's Library)

Praising the wider community for rallying behind local fundraisers for the victims of the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria, David further commented: "Lebanon is one of the countries affected by this month's earthquakes on the Turkey/Syria border. Cwmbwrla's response to this humanitarian crisis has been admirable. People who've spent the winter working hard to make ends meet in the face of an unprecedented cost of living crisis are digging deep to contribute to a relief fund.

"Tellingly, many people have donated because families like [this family], who've come to Swansea from the Middle East, have become such valued members of the community that their new friends in Swansea feel a bond not only with them but with the countries they came from. It's a reminder that while these countries may not be places of safety, their people carry with them a culture of kindness, dignity and respect

"Farah and Nader [Karim's parents] have raised their children to respect their elders, love their neighbours and appreciate and return kindness wherever they find it. In the midst of February’s late-winter gloom, with natural disaster overseas and economic uncertainty at home, Valentine’s Day didn't feel like much of a celebration. Thanks to Karim, just for a moment, all of that changed. Everybody needs good neighbours!"

The video of Karim giving the ladies roses has received a very positive response on social media. "Thankyou Karim, such a kind thought," one local resident said. "Such a lovely moment, thank you to Karim," added another.

Do you have a photo or video of someone doing something thoughtful and kind-hearted in Wales? Send it to us by email: molly.dowrick@walesonline.co.uk

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