When he clicked “send”, he didn’t know that he was about to change someone’s life.
Jack Keeys, an AgriFoods research and insights analyst, was going about his day when his message box pinged. A man named Brian Reeve was asking if he has a bit to spare since he is in need of food and clothing.
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Keeys, believing that the man was sincere about his request, agreed. But instead of wiring Reeve the money, he asked him if they can go out for lunch first.
“Hey my bro, I’m just wondering if I could have some money, my bro.”
Those were Reeve’s words the first time he contacted Keeys. Putting faith into kindness and giving in to the urge of helping, Keeys even picked up Reeve from his house.
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At that moment he knew that Reeve was atypical. He can converse but Keeys knew that he has some form of cognitive disability.
Over their lunches, they started knowing more about each other.
One thing that connected Reeve to Keeys was their geographical connection. They both grew up in the small town of Paeroa and moved to Hamilton, a bigger city.
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He also knew about his living conditions – Reeve was sleeping on a one-seater couch, unemployed even if he wanted to work, has a disability pension, and most of all, lonely.
More than giving him money, Keeys pushed for another idea.
They made a resume together and sent them out to businesses. While waiting for a favorable reply, he asked help from Reeve with his garden project. And while Keeys paid Reeve, it’s not enough since he only gets to employ him a few hours every weekend.
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He knew that Reeve was on disability allowance. And in their country, this can allow a disabled person to live comfortably and independently. But with Reeve’s situation, something was not clicking.
He asked Reeve if he could help with budgeting.
It was then that he discovered that Reeve was being taken advantage of. His money was being siphoned to companies with inconspicuous names and under loans that Reeve cannot possibly understand.
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Keeys spent the next 6 months chasing down and calling these businesses to close out these loans. At around this time, Reeve asked a favor from Keeys.
Reeve asked his friend if they can make a TikTok video together.
They didn’t intend to make something out of it. In fact, they just posted a video of their friendship. And as days became weeks, their video racked up thousands of views from all over the world.
The world was finally seeing their friendship and love and support were pouring in for Reeve. Then, before they know it, their lives changed for the better.
They were both invited to New Zealand’s Channel One News.
The exposure they got made Reeve much more confident about himself. And when Keeys used that opportunity to find a job for Reeve, businesses responded.
One of them is from The Greenways Trust, a social enterprise that provided full-time employment to people like Reeve.
And as Reeve adjusted to life at the trust, Keeys said that for the first time in their friendship, he didn’t receive constant messages.
Reeve was finally ready.
He’s not struggling financially anymore, he has a good place to sleep in, he has work, and most especially, he’s no longer lonely.
“From a stranger’s Facebook message to a friendship. From a TikTok video to three segments on national TV.” Keeys told in an essay. “The past 2 years have taught us a lot, but if I had to sum it up in a single word, it would be compassion.”
Watch how a message brought together two best friends.
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