- Feb 5, 2002
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A man joined the British Army to “repay his debt” to the English family who saved him from a life of selling peanuts for £1 a day.
Gopal Vaakode was 12 when he met the Hanson family who were holidaying in Goa, where he was walking 10 miles a day selling peanuts to tourists on the southwest coast of India.
Sometimes he’d sleep on the beach, and other nights in a tent on the side of the road, providing for his three younger siblings and mother.
He asked the tourist couple, Carol Thomas and Colin Hanson, and the sister-in-law Linda Hanson, if they’d like to buy some peanuts. They did much more than that, taking him shopping for clothes and food for his family of five.
They promised the teen they’d see him when they returned next year—and by pure chance the couple in their 50s bumped into him on the beach, 12 months later.
It ignited a lifelong bond, and within days the family persuaded Gopal and his mother Peckrrva, to let them help further.
Continued below.
Man ‘Repays His Debt’ to English Family Who Saved Him From a Life of Poverty, Selling Peanuts for $1 a Day
Gopal Vaakode was 12 when he met the Hanson family who were holidaying in Goa, where he was walking 10 miles a day selling peanuts to tourists on the southwest coast of India.
Sometimes he’d sleep on the beach, and other nights in a tent on the side of the road, providing for his three younger siblings and mother.
He asked the tourist couple, Carol Thomas and Colin Hanson, and the sister-in-law Linda Hanson, if they’d like to buy some peanuts. They did much more than that, taking him shopping for clothes and food for his family of five.
They promised the teen they’d see him when they returned next year—and by pure chance the couple in their 50s bumped into him on the beach, 12 months later.
It ignited a lifelong bond, and within days the family persuaded Gopal and his mother Peckrrva, to let them help further.
Continued below.
Man ‘Repays His Debt’ to English Family Who Saved Him From a Life of Poverty, Selling Peanuts for $1 a Day
