We’ve all heard the phrase "the road to success is under construction," but at Pay It Forward, sometimes that road is actually just a quiet parking lot.
Meet Lido (Ledisio Temelani). Lido is a man of many talents, big dreams, and—as we recently discovered—a very specific set of driving skills.
The Great Malawi Expedition
Last September, we decided it was time for Lido to level up. To unlock better job opportunities, he needed his driver’s license. After navigating the red tape of local logistics, we decided the most efficient route was to send him home to Malawi to get his papers sorted.
Two months and R20,000 later, our man returned! He had the license, the smile, and the confidence. He told us he knew how to drive—he just needed the "paper" to prove it. We believed him, and we celebrated!
The Sunday Drive (or: How Dave Almost Lost a Bumper)
This past Sunday, Dave decided it was time for a friendly "refresher" lesson—a casual cruise to make sure Lido was comfortable on our busy roads.
The reality? Within five minutes, the car was shaking, the gears were crying, and Dave’s life was flashing before his eyes. Lido wasn't just nervous; he was driving like the road was a suggestion rather than a rule. To save the car (and his nerves), Dave pulled into a deserted parking lot.
The "Aha!" Moment
Suddenly, magic happened. In the parking lot, Lido was a Formula 1 champion. Parallel parking? Perfect. Reversing? Flawless. Forward bays? Smooth as silk.
Confused, Dave asked: "Lido, man, you’re brilliant in here! What happens when we hit the actual road?"
Lido looked at him with total sincerity and explained: “Well, at my last job, I was the driver... but since I didn't have a license, they only ever let me drive inside the parking lot!”
It turns out, Lido is the world’s best driver—as long as he never goes above 10km/h or encounters a painted line.
Why We’re Still Smiling
Is it frustrating? A little. Is it expensive? Absolutely. But this is what Pay It Forward is about. We’ve invested in the man, not just the license.
Yesterday, we officially started professional driving lessons. The instructor called Dave and confirmed: "Yeah, he has no idea what he's doing." But he’s learning. He’s got the heart, he’s got the license, and now—thanks to professional lessons—he’ll finally have the skills to match the paperwork.
Dave might be a bit rattled (and his car might be hiding in the garage), but we aren't giving up on Lido. Want to help us get Lido (and others like him) safely onto the road? Every bit helps—even if it’s just to buy Dave a large, well-deserved coffee to keep his nerves steady for the next lesson!
We’d love to hear from you
Use the form under "Donations" to ask about a project, request more information, or find out how your business or small group can get involved.
- Email: info@payitforward.church
- Phone: +27 83 800 8880
- Organisation: Pay It Forward
Bank Details
| Bank: | FNB/RMB |
| Account Holder: | PayItForward |
| Account Type: | Business Call Account |
| Account Number: | 63191916312 |
| Branch Code: | 250655 |