Will Smith surprises Guinea student who biked across Africa

Hollywood star Will Smith surprised a Guinea student who cycled 4,000km across Africa to reach university after being moved by a BBC story about the student’s journey.

The Hollywood star Will Smith was moved by the BBC story of the student who pedalled 4,000km to get to a university.

Last year, Mamadou Safayou Barry made headlines with his remarkable 4,000km (2,500 mile) journey. During a video call from Cairo, where Mr. Barry is pursuing his studies, Smith expressed deep admiration for his efforts and generously gifted him a new bike and laptop.

Will Smith discovered Mr. Barry’s incredible journey through a BBC Instagram post last September. “I want the world to know your story,” expressed the lead of many blockbuster films.

In a short film shared on Smith’s YouTube channel, the student appeared pleasantly surprised to converse with the Men in Black star. “It’s Will Smith!” exclaimed a delighted Mr. Barry. “I adore many of your movies.”

Overwhelmed by the gifts, Mr. Barry later said, “I don’t know how to thank you Wallahi [I swear]! I don’t know how to thank you.”

In May, a 25-year-old from Guinea embarked on a remarkable journey towards Egypt’s esteemed Al-Azhar University, longing for acceptance.

Facing financial constraints, the married father opted to travel by bike, spending four months pedaling through Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Niger, and Chad—regions often afflicted by jihadist activities and political instability, resulting in his arrest thrice, without valid cause in Burkina Faso and Togo.

However, fortune smiled upon him in Chad. A journalist shared his story online, inspiring generous individuals to fund his flight to Egypt. Upon arrival in Cairo, he received a university offer for Islamic studies, later transitioning to engineering, along with a full scholarship.

Amidst the joyous occasion, he was reminded of a Paulo Coelho quote: “When you commit to a journey, the universe conspires to help you.”

In a heartwarming video, someone presented him with a bicycle and a laptop. Additionally, Smith contributed vouchers, enabling the student to either visit his family in Guinea or facilitate their visit to him.

The Fresh Prince himself was so inspired by Karim’s determination and bravery that he decided to give him a surprise of a lifetime. Imagine biking for months, facing challenges, and then getting a surprise visit from Will Smith! Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It just goes to show that with determination and a belief in following one’s dreams, incredible things can happen. Stay tuned for more heartwarming stories and remember, never underestimate the power of a dream!