Luckiest kid ever
father abusing my mother and I used to run away crying, never wanting to return. This was a constant cycle which replayed over and over.”
His father died in 1995. The family couldn’t afford a funeral and had to bury him on the side of the road.
Gopal dropped out of school and, aged 10, the family moved to tourist hotspot Goa in search of a better life.
His mum got a job as a cleaner and Gopal started selling peanuts. He travelled 15 miles by bus then walked five miles to Colva beach each day.
Then he switched to Betalbatim beach, eagerly awaiting a UK flight arriving each Saturday. That’s when he met Carol, Colin and Linda.
He recalls: “Instead of buying peanuts they bought me lunch. They took me shopping, bought me clothes and supplies for my family. I couldn’t express the happiness I experienced that day. They stayed for three weeks. I was so sad to see them go but they promised me they’d come back.
“One year on I saw them across the beach. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I ran over and gave them a massive hug.” Years on, he visited the family in
Telford, Shrops – his first time on a plane. He adds: “I was so excited as I’d been told it snowed in England. First thing I did was ask Linda where the snow was. She replied, ‘Gopal it’s June! It snows in December and January.’” His Army break came in 2009. As a commonwealth citizen, he was able to
Colin, left, Gopal (white hat) and pals join the Royal Logistic Corps. He has served around the world including Afghanistan, Kenya and Germany – and now has British citizenship.
Gopal’s mother and brother died in 2016, but his three sisters still live in India – and he helps them financially. Colin, who co-runs the family river cleaning business, says: “Gopal was the most charming little boy. We felt a connection despite him virtually speaking no English at the time.
“I remember buying these rotten peanuts which we would never eat, but we really wanted to help. Things started to evolve and we were clothing him and giving him money to help him look after his family.
“It felt natural and the more time we spent with him the closer we became.
“When we started to visit I often couldn’t get time off work but Linda would go. They became so close.
“In the end it made sense for him to come to the UK for the opportunities which weren’t available to him there.”
Gopal is forever grateful. And he admits: “I still feel the luckiest kid in the world.”
I could not express the happiness I felt the day they bought me food... GOPAL VAAKODE ON NEW LIFE HE OWES TO BRITS