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Licia Dewing

Career Strategist

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#BlOGGING ABOUT Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman: Meeting a Living Hero – Carrying the Weight of your Purpose.

Sometimes, we meet someone whose presence leaves us speechless—not because we lack words, but because they resonate so deeply with us that words seem inadequate. weight of your purpose

This was the case when I met Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, the founder of Gift of the Givers.

A man whose life’s work has touched the hearts of millions, offering hope and aid in the wake of countless crises around the globe.

Standing in front of him, I found myself fumbling for the right words. I had admired him from afar for years, but now that I was in his presence, all I could do was stand in awe.

How do you fully express your appreciation for a real-life hero?

How do you articulate the gratitude that flows from witnessing the profound impact they’ve had on the world?

At that moment, I didn’t need the perfect words.

What I needed was to listen— weight of your purpose

The Wisdom He Shared

Dr. Sooliman didn’t speak in grandiose terms. Instead, his wisdom came quietly, but with such profound depth that it stayed with me long after our conversation ended.

He shared that what truly breaks him and his team is not the immense human suffering they have witnessed in disaster zones or conflict areas, but the human greed they have encountered in the process. weight of your purpose

That, to him, is far more devastating than any natural disaster.

When asked how he keeps going—from one disaster to another, decade after decade—he shared his secret to maintaining his faith and drive:

“Move with compassion and mercy, and fate will always provide you with a source of hope and positivity.”

This simple yet powerful principle has guided him through over 30 years of aiding those in need. weight of your purpose

It made me realize that sometimes the greatest strength lies not in what we do, but in how we carry our purpose with compassion, regardless of the challenges we face.

Carrying the Weight of Your Purpose

Meeting someone whose life has been so entirely dedicated to saving others forces you to reconsider your relationship with your purpose. Dr. Sooliman isn’t just a humanitarian icon; he is the embodiment of quiet, steady strength—an individual whose impact is felt not just through the work of his foundation, but in the way he carries himself and connects with others.

Standing face to face with him, I realized something profound: True power doesn’t come from status or wealth but from the willingness to show up, over and over again, for those who need it most. It’s the courage to act when others stand by, to continue giving when it feels like you’ve given it all, and to stay humble despite the recognition you deserve. weight of your purpose

This sense of purpose isn’t easy to carry. It demands everything of you—time, energy, heart, and soul. However, meeting Dr. Sooliman reminded me that it is exactly this kind of commitment that creates change in the world.

When you move with purpose, others will feel it—and it will ripple out in ways you may never see, but that matter all the same.

Golden Nuggets of Wisdom

As our conversation continued, he shared other pieces of wisdom that stuck with me: weight of your purpose

“The best among people are those who benefit mankind.”

This reminded me that our work, whatever it may be, should always serve the greater good.

“Mankind is one single nation… those who seek to divide us, do not love us.”

True love and unity challenge the divisiveness we see today and call on us to embrace humanity as a whole

“Be the best at what you do—unconditionally—don’t ever expect a thank you.”

—about giving without expecting anything in return—a lesson I’ll carry forever. weight of your purpose

These weren’t just words to me—they were a call to action. Dr. Sooliman didn’t just talk about the importance of helping others; he showed it through the life he’s lived.

The Biggest Lesson

Ultimately, what I learned that day wasn’t about saying the right thing to my hero. It wasn’t about crafting a perfect sentence or capturing the ideal moment for social media.

No, the biggest lesson I took away from meeting Dr. Sooliman is this:

Meeting your hero isn’t about saying the right thing—it’s about feeling the right things.

It’s about letting their words settle into your soul and letting their presence remind you of what truly matters. In a world full of noise, sometimes the most impactful thing we can do is stop, listen, and be present. weight of your purpose

As I walked away from that encounter, I carried something more valuable than a perfectly crafted sentence.

I carried a renewed sense of purpose—one that will continue to fuel my actions as I move forward in my own journey.

Your Turn: Who Has Left You Speechless?

Now, I want to hear from you.

Have you ever met someone whose words or actions left you speechless? weight of your purpose
Who is the human or heroic impact you’d love to meet?
How has their influence shaped your life, and what would you say to them if given the chance?

Check out the images I shared of this meeting here

Gift of the Givers Foundation: A Timeline of Impact

1992 – Foundation Established
Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman founded Gift of the Givers, a South African-based humanitarian organization, with the mission of providing aid to people in crisis, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. It began with an initial focus on providing relief in disaster-stricken areas.

1993 – First Major Humanitarian Mission
Gift of the Givers’ first major mission was to assist during the Bosnian War by providing medical supplies, food, and water to those in need.

1994 – South African Apartheid Ends
As South Africa emerged from apartheid, Gift of the Givers expanded its humanitarian efforts to include communities in need within South Africa, providing aid during difficult transitions.

1996 – HIV/AIDS Support Initiatives
Recognizing the growing HIV/AIDS crisis, Gift of the Givers expanded its focus to provide support to individuals and communities affected by the epidemic, including treatment programs, education, and awareness initiatives.

2000 – Kosovo Conflict
During the Kosovo War, Gift of the Givers provided aid to displaced persons in the region, continuing its commitment to international disaster relief.

2004 – Tsunami Relief in South Asia
Gift of the Givers responded to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, providing medical aid, food, and shelter to victims in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and India.

2010 – Haiti Earthquake Relief
Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Gift of the Givers deployed medical teams and relief supplies to assist in the aftermath of the disaster.

2014 – Ebola Outbreak in West Africa
During the Ebola outbreak, Gift of the Givers sent teams to affected countries in West Africa, including Liberia and Sierra Leone, to assist with medical treatment, burial services, and community education.

2015 – Nepal Earthquake Relief
Gift of the Givers responded to the devastating earthquake in Nepal, providing emergency aid, medical assistance, and rebuilding efforts.

2016 – South Africa’s Drought Crisis
As South Africa faced a severe drought, Gift of the Givers initiated a water relief project, delivering potable water to communities, schools, and hospitals in the hardest-hit areas.

2019 – Cyclone Idai in Mozambique
Gift of the Givers provided aid to victims of Cyclone Idai in Mozambique, including food, water, medical supplies, and rescue teams.

2020 – COVID-19 Pandemic Response
As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold globally, Gift of the Givers launched initiatives to provide medical supplies, food, water, and support to communities, hospitals, and healthcare workers in South Africa and beyond.

2021 – Syria & Yemen Crisis Relief
Gift of the Givers continued its international efforts by providing aid to Syria and Yemen, focusing on food and water distribution, medical supplies, and support for displaced populations.

2022 – Flood Relief in South Africa
In response to catastrophic flooding in KwaZulu-Natal and other parts of South Africa, Gift of the Givers provided relief, including water, food, medical care, and rebuilding assistance.

Ongoing – Continued Relief Efforts
Gift of the Givers remains actively involved in disaster response, community development, and humanitarian aid, offering sustainable solutions to help people rebuild their lives.

Follow them here :

Gift of the Givers Foundation

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