Hey iffy,
Papaya plants are cheap and grow like weeds, no need to start from a cutting unless you need a specific cultivar/plant to clone.
Lots are available online as well. Would probably just need 2-3 to ensure fruit is produced. What zone does your friends mother live in? North FL is too cold for papaya.
You could also consider bananas, there's a ton of varieties and they're fun-looking tropical plants. Some are more cold hardy too.