Ghanaian immigrant, Francis Apraku, a beloved janitor at James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia, was overcome with emotion after students surprised him with a Jeep Wrangler, his dream car.
Apraku received the life-changing gift on his birthday Monday, thanks to a group of freshman students who organized the surprise. The students fundraised for months through GoFundMe, surpassing their initial goal by raising over $20,000 as per a Daily Mail report. They believed Apraku’s life was one filled with great virtues and then decided to make his dream become a reality.
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With the help of local car dealer named Andy, the students were able to purchase the Jeep.
After witnessing the surprise, Apraku burst into tears and expressed his gratitude. “I will give thanks to Almighty God for making today for me,” he told Fox5. Through them, this dream has come true.”
Video footage captured the emotional moment as Apraku walked to the school parking lot and realized the Jeep was his. He then fell to the ground, will smiles all over him as the students embraced him. They later guided him to the vehicle, where Apraku tearfully inspected the back tire, a feature he had always dreamed of.
A Ghanaian man living in the US, Mr. Francis Apraku, left awestruck after a group of students at James Madison High School, where he works as a custodian, surprised him with a $20,000 Jeep Wrangler.
— SIKAOFFICIAL? (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) September 12, 2024
The students praised him for his consistently cheerful mood and revealed that… pic.twitter.com/onYH40GmmV
With tears in his eyes, Apraku paused to pray, holding his keys and raising his arms to the sky. The Jeep, which was adorned with a red bow, indicated the love and support the students have for Apraku, and the crowd gathered there cheered him on, in a truly delightful fashion after witnessing the wholesome encounter.
Apraku shared how he had mentioned his love for the Jeep Wrangler, with a specific preference for a tire on the back. “I didn’t know why they were looking at me like that,” he recalled. He was also puzzled when the students asked for his email, unaware they were planning an amazing surprise.
The students, led by Bennett and Logan, raised $5,000 in the first day alone, eventually reaching over $20,000 after six months. “Ever since we met Francis, he has been super kind and friendly and even says prayers for us,” the students shared.
Reflecting on the day, Apraku said, “I feel happy, happy, happy, and I don’t know how to describe it.”
To cap his birthday off, Francis Apraku and his students later celebrated together at a local restaurant at Vienna Inn, further creating memories to solidify their wholesome bond.
