“Who is my neighbour?” Jesus was asked this question in a provocative conversation about living out the Great Commandment—to love God and love your neighbour (Luke 10:27). To answer, Jesus paints a vivid picture through a simple story.
The parable of the Good Samaritan is beloved because it brings the Great Commandment to life, essentially showing us the answer to one man’s question—Who is my neighbour?—is at the heart of a life of faith.
Inviting us to understand and express God’s heart in our broken and vulnerable world, Jesus introduces the characters of the Good Samaritan parable with a threefold purpose: to help us see the need for compassion in the world around us, feel compassion toward those around us and move with compassion.
Today, we invite you into another story that demonstrates God’s heart and reveals that there are so many tangible opportunities to move with compassion in our world today. Shanto, a 16-year-old from Bangladesh, is a living, breathing answer to the question who is my neighbour?
Shanto’s story
The alarm clock’s ring pierced the stillness of Shanto’s small room. He rubbed his eyes and sighed, glancing at the clock—another day, another dawn to face. The routine was etched in his weary bones, but the resilience in his eyes spoke more.
Dressing in the dim light of dawn, Shanto prepared for another day of juggling responsibilities that no 16-year-old should bear. As he stepped into his worn-out sandals, the thin layer of the sole reminded him that he needed to replace them with a new pair.
Shanto’s parents had abandoned him, leaving a void that seemed impossible to fill. The silence in their absence echoed in the corners of his heart, a silent scream that reverberated through the empty spaces of his soul. His parents, alive but emotionally absent, made fleeting calls that did little to undo the loss they had created.
“I still don’t understand why they had to leave me,” admitted Shanto. “I am doing two jobs and balancing work and school every day.”
A delicate balance
Shanto went to school four days a week from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and then worked for the remainder of the time so that he could balance work and school, earn an income and try to complete his studies.
As a painter and a construction site worker, he earned around CA$6 per day on an on-call basis, an income that was far from stable.
Yet, in his desolation, a pillar of strength emerged—his aunt, Tahmeena. She embraced him when his parents turned their backs, providing a haven in the turbulent storm of life. He moved to live with her family in a cramped three-room house, five people finding solace within its modest walls.
With her resilient spirit, Tahmeena ran a small restaurant, offering breakfast and snacks to hungry passersby. Shanto worked voluntarily in the mornings, a humble contribution to show his appreciation for the woman who had become a mother to him.
The restaurant was a place of unity for the family where they worked together as a team to serve breakfast to hungry locals.
“This is my family’s only source of income, so what we earn gets invested back into the business, and what I manage to save goes toward rent and necessities,” said Tahmeena.
A flickering flame
As the sun rose overhead, Shanto bid farewell to the restaurant and embarked on the second chapter of his day—the unpredictable world of construction sites. Dust clung to his clothes like a second skin as he hauled bricks and iron rods, the weight on his shoulders not just physical, but symbolic of the burdens that life had thrust upon him.
But even while he worked two jobs to make ends meet, Shanto didn’t give up on going to school. He knew the importance of a proper education. Shanto’s education was his beacon of hope, a flame that flickered against the darkness of his circumstances.
The Compassion centre, a haven for young people in need, supported his school fees and offered guidance on navigating the complex landscape of his life. Through the centre, he also formed a connection with a sponsor from Canada, exchanging letters that deeply encouraged Shanto to persevere in his studies.
Only through the unwavering support of the Compassion centre did Shanto continue his studies. It was here that he learned not just about books, exams and computers but also about the value of community. The encouragement of the Compassion centre, the love of his aunt Tahmeena and the connection with his sponsor kept him motivated amid all the grief he had experienced. The void left by his parents was slowly being filled by the love and support of those who believed in him.
As Shanto lay down on his bed at the end of the day, he let his heart dream of a brighter tomorrow. He thought of the people who loved him and encouraged him that his dreams were possible, and he smiled. Just like the buildings he constructed in his job, he had all the tools to build a future.
Who is your neighbour? Shanto is.
How will you move with compassion for him?
Give to Education and Training
Engage deeper with the story:
- Who do you think were the “good neighbours” in this story?
- What made them good neighbours?
- How did they see Shanto’s need for compassion?
- What do you think they felt when they encountered his crisis?
- How did they move with compassion?
- Where do you see yourself in the story?
- How does this story inspire you to live out the Great Commandment (to love God and love your neighbour)?
Photos by J. Sangma. Words by J. Sangma and Rebekah Malbrecht.
