Woman asks internet to help find man who gave her a bike at a refugee camp 24 years ago

Sometimes, the internet can be a beautiful place when people channel their energy and skills towards a positive aim. X, while often a place teeming with memes and crude jokes, has also proven itself to be a helpful space for finding long lost friends and solving mysteries.

One of the most wholesome examples was when 29-year-old Mevan Babbakar asked the internet to help her find a man who worked at the refugee camp she lived in as a child.

Babbakar kicked off the thread by sharing that she was a refugee for five years in the 90s, and has one old photo of a man who bought her a bike and etched himself in her memory.

From there, kind and curious strangers retweeted the request and eventually she was able to track him down and shared the process with everyone who helped.

She also shared an adorable throwback photo from right before she received the bike.

Babbakar shared that scores of other refugees messaged her to share how this man's kindness also touched their lives.

She was also able to get in touch with a woman who worked at the camp who first taught her to use a computer.

The excitement and suspense over reconnecting with him was palpable.

When she finally arrived at his home Babbakar took a photo with him, and shared that his name is Egbert.

Egbert has been working with refugees since the 90s, has a family of his own and likes gardening in his spare time.

Egbert was happy to see her, and surprised at how much the gift of a bike impacted her.

In closing, Babbakar thanked everyone for their help one final time, and pointed out that anecdotes like this prove the internet can be a tool for good.

The article was originally published on August 19, 2019. It has since been updated.