In 2019, in the Philippines, a poor 13-year-old boy named Honest Darwin found a wallet on the street. Inside it was a large sum of money — more than his family would earn in months. His mother worked as a laundry woman, and they often struggled to buy food.
Instead of keeping it, Darwin went door to door in the neighborhood asking if anyone had lost a wallet. Finally, he found the owner — a teacher — and returned it with every coin untouched.
The teacher was so moved that she shared his story online. Within days, Darwin’s story went viral. Strangers from around the world started sending donations, offering to sponsor his studies, and even building his family a new house.
Darwin later said:
“My parents taught me that it is better to be poor with honesty than rich with shame.”