How today’s Heroes are paying it forward – and how you can, too.
Every so often, a concept as old as time is invigorated with a trendy new take. Paying it Forward is one such concept that will never get old, mostly because the impact is always quite profound. As a social enterprise Hero in my Hood experiences this impact every single time we get to distribute our books to children who receive them with sheer delight. It galvanises us on our mission, and we hope that sharing our stories will galvanise you into Paying it Forward, too.
‘More than 60 000 Hero story activity books have reached children through serial reciprocity.’
In March, Langebaan real estate agent and dedicated animal welfare supporter Nee Alberts tagged us on a video reel she shared about her very special birthday giveaway.
“This year for my birthday, I had the privilege of carrying out an educational programme in collaboration with Langebaan Animal Care. It was one of the most heartwarming experiences of my life,” she posted.
We were heartened by the initiative, a small act of kindness that has become a global method of Paying it Forward. Kindspring, an online site dedicated to sharing these “Stories of Kindness from Around the World,” is a decade-old global movement that highlights various campaigns, games and stories that show how easily one can pay it forward.
This has inspired us to share some of the many different ways our community is paying it forward. We hope it inspires you to do the same, too.
ABOUT Paying it Forward
Paying it forward is an expression that refers to the simple, timeless concept of doing something good without expecting any reward – and repaying a good deed by passing it on to someone other than the original benefactor.
So, when someone gives you something, instead of returning the gesture, you gift someone else instead, thus: paying it forward. This creates a cycle of kindness: We feel good about ourselves, as do those who receive and pass the kindness on.
Also known as serial reciprocity, the phrase was first coined by Lily Hardy Hammond in her 1916 book In the Garden of Delight: “I never repaid Great-aunt Letitia’s love to her, any more than she repaid her mother’s. You don’t pay love back; you pay it forward.”
American novelist Catherine Ryan Hyde‘s 1999 novel Pay It Forward was adapted in 2000 into a film of the same name – and sparked a wave of movements and initiatives.
Hero in my Hood has been fortunate to play a starring role in a recurring chain of Pay it Forward initiatives, thanks to generous kind hearts the world over.
Over the last seven years, Hero has managed to distribute about 30 000 books to over 100 organisations across South Africa – all of which have been gifted from someone who has seen the value in paying it forward.
Organisations have purchased over 30 000 books with the help of others paying it forward and supplying funds for their educational materials.
In total, more than 60 000 Hero story activity books have reached children through serial reciprocity.
We salute just five examples of our many benefactors who Pay it Forward:
- Felix and Moni Spreiter heard about Hero in my Hood collecting donations to get Hero books into the Santa Shoebox Project boxes way back in 2020. This Swiss couple are true Pay it Forward Heroes, who have consistently supported us over the years. Along with the Santa Shoebox Project, many other organisations across South Africa have received books and learning materials that were gifted on their behalf.
- In 2019, expat siblings Cathy Mosselman-Train (now based in Rotterdam) and Paul Train (London) participated in the gruelling 5-day, 220 km standup paddle (SUP 11 City Tour) across the canals of the Netherlands to raise funds for Hero. More than 4 500 Hero story activity books reached children from a variety or organisations on the Cape Flats via the Learning Trust.
- At the Paws-a-While event in May 2025, two people sponsored books to the education programmes for two of the organisations at the fair – unprompted.
- At the Paws on the Prom, 2025, Mdzananda’s annual fun walk, nearly 100 books were donated to their education programme – unexpected.
- At least once a month Hero gets a note from the bank letting us know of a donation. Big or small, they all go towards getting a book to a child through a registered organisation – whether it be an organisation involved in pet rescue, beach cleanups or helping children with reading and after-school activities.
What is in it for the donor?
Well, we could say: “Nothing, really – apart from the knowledge that you’ve embarked on a random act of kindness.”
We could also – and do – show you our library of pics of beaming faces of kids who can’t contain their joy. We could share the countless ‘Thank You’ letters we have received from beneficiaries, to prove that the first phase of the Pay it Forward movement has a deep impact.
The second phase is stories still untold: of the child who received a story activity book that inspired them to become an adult who pays it forward…
Be a Hero: Pay it Forward
You can sponsor Hero’s fun educational material to a school or organisation of your choice. We will send a card – digital or shipped – directly to you, or them.
Once the materials have been sent to the organisation/school we will ask them to send photos of the distribution.
For further details or to order, email: mandy@hero-in-my-hood.co.za or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 578 2018.
Go ahead: Be a Hero; Help a Hero.
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