We all face thresholds in life—moments we must push through to reach something better. But what if, just when you’re ready to give up, an unexpected act of kindness helps you cross to the other side?
Join us as Joshua shares his story of survival and generosity. It’s a powerful reminder that even life’s toughest crossings can be made easier by kindness—and maybe, just maybe, you can be that angel for someone else too.
Life Lessons & Key Themes From This Story
- Trying to achieve something new in life comes with challenges. Perseverance is key.
- A single act of kindness can change a life—it might be kindness received or given.
- We don’t always cross life's borders alone—help often appears when we need it most.
- Those of the older, more experienced generation can help & encourage younger ones.
- Never give up on your dreams, even when the path is uncertain.
📍 From Uganda: A powerful story that adds to our global collection of inspiring narratives.
I was stuck at the border with no way out. I didn’t know it then, but this border was more than just a physical place—it was a turning point in my life, a threshold I had to cross before moving on to something new. That’s when kindness appeared, just when I needed it most, in the form of a human angel.
He appeared at the Tanzania-Zambia border. I was on a life-changing mission, determined to rid myself and my family of poverty. But things took a bad turn. All my belongings were stolen. My bag, my phone—everything was gone. I was left with only the clothes I was wearing. No way to contact home. No way to move forward or go back.
No Way Out: A Test of Survival and Strength
I was stuck there for seven days. Seven long days.
I begged for food to survive, feeling hunger that pushed me beyond what I could endure. I kept telling myself not to give up. “You’ve got dreams to chase,” I reminded myself.
On the seventh day, Joel, a 34-year-old gentleman, saw my situation and came closer. I had neither ever seen nor met him before. He asked what had happened to me, and I explained everything—the theft, the hunger, how I was stranded at the border for days with no way to leave.
Joel listened carefully, and the heart he had, he expressed his kindness to me. He paid for my bus fare. And he didn’t only pay my fare; he said I could stay at his home and gave me shelter for two weeks. This man, who didn’t know me at all, treated me like family. His kindness changed everything for me.
After two weeks, I told him, “Joel, I need to go and keep hustling for my dreams.” I didn’t want to be a burden. Joel didn’t stop me—he supported me. Before I left, he gave me $10 and said, “It’s not much, but it will help you start.”
With that $10, I started on my mission again. It wasn’t easy, but I was determined. I worked day and night, both online and offline, putting everything I had into building a better life.
Joel’s act of kindness didn’t stop there—it kept on following me. Many good characters stepped forward to help me in my difficult times, teaching me that kindness is instilled in the believers of every religion and faith. Every one of them has taught me something about being kind to those you meet.
Crossing Life’s Borders: A Journey We All Must Take
Because no matter who we are, everyone has to cross a border at some time in their life. For me, the border wasn’t just entering a new country—it was stepping into my mission to be successful.
For others, it might be starting a new business, a new relationship, facing a health challenge, or stepping into a new phase of life.
No matter who we are, as we work on our dreams, we will face fears, setbacks, and doubts in order to pass through our challenges. But step by step, together, we keep moving forward, trusting that when the time comes, our Border Angel will appear—just like Joel did for me.
And guess what? If we’re lucky, we might even get to be a Border Angel for someone else, showing up at just the right moment to help them make it to the other side.
About the Author - Joshua Atwebembire
A young entrepreneur born in 1998 in Kiburara, Ibanda, Uganda, Joshua has grown into a successful motivational speaker and business coach, specialising in network marketing and business building.
With a personal journey marked by resilience and determination, Joshua aspires to help individuals who, like him, faced adversity in their early years.
His mission is to inspire hope and empower those striving to overcome similar challenges and change the trajectory of their lives.
Connect with Joshua here: https://www.facebook.com/atwebembire.joshua.1
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Touching story of human kindness. On a bus from Phoenix to LA a woman hands over her last forty dollars. But that wasn't the end of her story...
Especially at this time, Joshua’s story about being a stranger trying to travel to a new place for a new start was particularly important. Thank you for sharing it with us. I will also mention this story of an angel who came forward in a time of need to a friend who hopes to move to Tanzania one day.
It’s a really a powerful move that really made me become the strongest person I really wanted to be as am speaking of today, have established an orphanage that helps people of such cases but most especially the orphans where by whoever has a kind heart Can support them through this organization . Life gives us what we deserve.
Joshua’s stsory about finidng kindness is touching and thanks a lot for sharing it, appreciate the detail in his experience,.
Everyone deserves an angle in his or her difficult times
I strongly believe that God or the universe – whatever you want to call it – comes to us when we need help the most, and this is such a great example of that.
Help is always there at the most time needed just that you and I have a role to play in informing people to maintain good characters that can make them earn such help