The Unicorn Preparatory School and Stanford Lake College alumnus will be celebrating his 21st birthday on 17 June by feeding at least 210 children.
He is an accounting sciences student at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia, Brisbane and is currently on a six-month vacation.
“Sitting at home, I was wondering how I could celebrate my 21st in South Africa in a special unique way, it was then that I came up with a goal to feed at least 210 unfortunate children.
There was ample planning that went into this such as which communities to feed, what to buy, how much to buy, etc,” he said.
He is living proof that if you teach them young, they will definitely follow in your footsteps.
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“From a young age I have witnessed my father, Vinod Patel, giving back to the needy and that has inspired me.
I am following his footsteps and wish to become like my father one day,” he said.
He recently donated food that fed approximately 150 children at Mafarana Drop-in Centre.
“I have donated the food required to feed these children which then will be distributed by the service project manager to the children.
By the middle of June, I wish to complete my goal by feeding at least 210 unfortunate children.
It is really heartwarming to give back to the community and see children happy,” he said.
Sonu told Herald that giving back makes him happy, he also said “I am happy that I have started at a young age, my parents, as well as my community, are proud of my achievements and I aspire to become a better person day by day.
This is my story, and this is how I will celebrate my 21st.”
His father is a well-known businessman and owner of Tzaneen Hardware.
“My father has been giving back to the community and I’ve been witnessing this since I was seven- or eight years old and I strive to follow my father’s footsteps.
Just in March my father also fed about 50 homeless people in the village of Lorraine in Sekororo.”
Sonu said his spirit of giving was also inspired by his two gurus (mentors) Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj who are leaders of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha organisation.
The BAPS organisation is a spiritual, volunteer-driven organisation dedicated to improving society through individual growth by fostering the Hindu ideals of faith, unity, and selfless service.
If you know of an orphanage or a home around Tzaneen in need of food donations please contact Sonu on 073 450 0244.
