Money is only as valuable as what you do with it.
Ever dreamed about winning the lottery? What would you do if you find yourself becoming a multi-millionaire overnight?
This man wanted to give back.
Some will spend their new-found fortune on sports cars. Others will spend it on fancy clothing and jewelry.
Still others will go property hunting or maybe help their family and friends. But for a man in Tanzania, it’s all about giving back to his community.
Riches overnight
Saniniu Laizer made waves when he became a millionaire overnight.
Laizer said to the media that he planned to host a big party after his fortunes turned.
How did he find his wealth?
Lazier mined one of the rarest gemstones on earth. It is so rare that geologists say that the supply of such gems would be depleted within the next 20 years.
The father of 30 just found 15 kilograms of a such gemstone.
The mineral in question is Tanzanite.
The rare gemstone is only found in northern Tanzania, thus the name. It is often used to make jewelry.
He sold the stones in a trading event in the northern region of Manyara. The largest Tanzanite mined before Laizer weighed 3 kilograms.
The stones, weighing 5.8 kilograms and 9.2 kilograms, fetched a combined worth of $3.4 million.
The country’s president, President John Magufuli, phoned Laizer to congratulate him.
“This is the benefit of small-scale miners and this proves that Tanzania is rich,” the president said.
President Magufuli came to power in 2015 and promised to safeguard the nation’s interest in mining.
Laizer has plans for his wealth.
He shared that he will still go back to tending to his 2,000-head herd of cows. He also slaughtered one to celebrate the occasion.
But more than that, Laizer also recognized what this money can do for his community.
He thought of two major projects.
“I want to build a shopping mall and a school.” He said in an interview with BBC.
He shared that life in their village is poor and a lot of people can’t afford to give their children a proper education. With his money, he wants to change all of that.
He also tasked his children.
He wants them to become responsible business owners.
“I am not educated but I like things to run in a professional way. So I would like my children to run the business professionally.” He further said.
He also won’t be taking increased security and extra precautions. He stated that their community is safe and that he can walk at night alone without any problems.
Back in 2017, President Magufuli ordered the military to build a 24-kilometer wall.
The wall enclosed the Merelani mining site in Manyara as they believe the site is the world’s only source of Tanzanite.
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A year after the wall’s construction, the government reported an increase in revenue.
Tanzanite is a variety of the mineral Zoisite. The gem is well-known for its blue or purple color.
Learn more about this incredible find in the video below!
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