Homeless Man Gives Free Books To Kids Because 'You Don't Have To Be Rich To Change The World'

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/24/pavement-bookworm-homeless_n_5525643.html

Homeless Man Gives Free Books To Kids Because 'You Don't Have To Be Rich To Change The World'
The Huffington Post | By Robbie Couch

Posted: 06/24/2014 5:01 pm EDT Updated: 06/25/2014 10:59 am EDT


If anyone proves you should never judge a book by its cover, it's Philani Dladla.

Sporting a flat-bill baseball hat, a colorful, striped dress shirt and beads dangling from his neck, Dladla may not look the part of a stereotypical bookworm -- especially as he lives on the streets.

Termed the "pavement bookworm" by South African filmmaker Tebogo Malope, Dladla has attracted attention near and far because of his unconventional methods of making money while homeless. Instead of panhandling, Dladla reviews books and discusses authors with passers-by -- impromptu book club sessions, essentially -- to earn an income, according to SA People News.

Malope discovered the homeless 24-year-old late last year in Johannesburg, when he posted a sidewalk interview with Dladla (seen above) chatting about books and the positive influence they have on readers. Ever since, the pavement bookworm has gained international popularity and attracted far more pedestrians interested in some literary chats.

While Dladla earns money from selling the books he has on hand to adults, he gives away books for free to kids.

"They can still take this reading thing and turn it into their habit," Dladla said in the video interview. "Their lifelong habit."

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"You don't have to be rich to change the world," he wrote on Facebook. "Start with the little that you have. If you inspire one person you've already changed the world."

If you would like to donate books to Philani, please contact Tebogo Malope on Facebook.




The Pavement Bookworm (Part 1)
Tebogo Malope
Published on Nov 26, 2013

Philani is a 24 yr old Bookworm.a pavement bookworm to be more precise currently based in Johannesburg, South Africa.He basically bounces around different streets with his expansive library of books and at anybodies request reviews the books.He has read all the books in his collection and is always seeking for more to read.He then sells some of his books as a way to raise money for himself and some of his homeless friends.I'm appealing to anyone that can contribute somehow into his life,He's a great role model on the power of reading and can be an amazing ambassador for our young people.