In July this year, six-year-olds Ayaan Moosa and Mikaeel Ishaa from east London in the United Kingdom had set up a lemonade stand to raise money towards the people suffering from the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn Yemen. The best friends had learned about the plight of the citizens in Yemen and wanted to help in whatever way they could.
Unfortunately, Yemen has been engulfed in a civil war for half a decade now, with millions killed. More than half the population of the country is at a risk of famine and millions of people are suffering from lack of sanitation and healthcare, hunger, starvation, and malnourishment.
“They were gobsmacked that people were living like that. It’s the first time in their lives they realized not everybody is living like them,” Moosa, Ayaan’s father said. “They were keen to do something … and decided whatever couple of hundred pounds we made, we would give to a charity.”
The two best friends also have an Instagram page, where they update their progress.
And these little kids with large hearts were pleasantly surprised when they realized that the famous Hollywood star Angelina Jolie had made a surprise generous donation to their stall. She also sent them a letter, thanking and applauding them for their massive efforts in raising the money for charity.
Jolie’s note read, “Dear Ayaan and Mikaeel. Thank you for what you and your friends are doing to help children in Yemen. I’m sorry I’m not able to buy a lemonade from you, but I’d still like to make a donation to your stand. Love, [signed by Angelina].”
The children put up an earnest video on their Instagram account, thanking the actress. “Hi Angelina, I’m Ayaan. And I’m Mikaeel. And we’re the LemonAid boys. We just wanted to say thank you for donating to our cause,” they said in the video. They also added that she could drop in for a glass of lemonade the next time she was in London.
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Thank you message for @angelinajolie.offiicial 💙 #yemen #lemonaidboys #yemencrisis #angelinajolie
Jolie is also a UNHCR special envoy and has been vocal about the crisis in Yemen, calling for a ceasefire and an end to the brutal conflict.
The lemonade boys’ online campaign called ‘Lemonade for Yemen-Aid’ has raised close to 70,000 pounds and this generous donation by Jolie will certainly boost their morales!
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