The Photo That Could Change A Boys Life

[Jollygoodfellow]

Sometimes all it takes is a photo for some light at the end of the tunnel   :tiphat:

 

 

Philippines: Homeless boy does homework by the light of McDonald's

 

Want to see what thirst of knowledge looks like? Tune into the photo of a homeless boy sitting outside a McDonald's in Philippines; the boy uses the fast food restaurant's light every night to study.

 

The moment was captured by medical student Joyce Torrefranca in the Philippines city of Cebu who later posted the image on Facebook.

"For me as a student, it just hit me a lot, like, big time. I seldom go to coffee shops to study. And then this kid, he doesn't have anything but he has dedication to study," said Torrefranca.

 

"He goes to McDonald's to study because there is no electricity in the food stall."

 

The nine-year-old boy, identified by the Philippine news network ABS-CBN as Daniel Cabrera, lost his house to a fire and usually settles outside the McDonald's near his temporary house every night to study, reported Sky News.

 

A grade three student, Daniel who lost his father, a construction worker in 2012 and has an ailing seven-year-old brother, Gabriel, wants to finish his studies to eventually support his family.

 

His mother, Christina Espinosa, sells street food in a small stall where the family presently lives.

 

"Daniel is a happy child and also very intelligent. He answers often during class discussions and really gets involved," said one of Daniel's teacher, Rosalina Detuya.

 

A social welfare officer reportedly visited Daniel's family after the picture went viral to offer assistance to the boy and his family.

 

"I didn't think that a simple photo can make a huge difference. Thank you guys for sharing the photo," said Torrefranca.

 

"With that, we were able to help Daniel in reaching his dreams. I hope Daniel's story will continue touching our hearts so that we will always be inspired and motivated in every situation we face in life."

 

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/philippines-homeless-boy-does-homework-by-light-mcdonalds-1510164

[mogo51]

This puts life hardships into perspective. What a constitution this young boy has. I admire him and feel sure

he will most definately succeed.

Edited July 9, 2015 by mogo51

[Gerald Glatt]

constitution this young boy has. I admire him and feel sure he will most definately succeed.

 

he's 9 the constitution is covered when he's 11.

 

kinda makes you wonder how we don't appreciate what others think is a huge thing.   GOOD FOR THE KID 

[lonewolf]

good for him much luck also

[Dave Hounddriver]

"He goes to McDonald's to study because there is no electricity in the food stall."

 

Probably doesn't hurt that the customers at McD probably give him a few coins and some food now and then.  It may be that he really wants to study, and I hope he does, but I am jaded enough to think of the guys sitting beside the road with signs that say "Will work for food".  In short, it may be just a gimmick that works to get sympathy from passing marks.

[Gratefuled]

The photo could be enlarged and framed and titled, " Inspiration for education".

 

I remember a large picture of some very expensive cars parked in an open garage facing out.

The title was " Inspiration for higher education". My sons liked it and they still have it.

 

Manny Villar worked his way out of Tondo and poverty with determination and built his wealth with his education. He is now a Senator.

 

Another Filipino boy who became CNN Man of the Year came out of poverty and helped distribute books to the poor kids in the  slums of Manila. His first name is Efren. I forget his last name.

 

Manny Pacquaio sold bread house to house when he was a child for his mother after his father abandoned them.

[Jollygoodfellow]

 

"He goes to McDonald's to study because there is no electricity in the food stall."

 

Probably doesn't hurt that the customers at McD probably give him a few coins and some food now and then.  It may be that he really wants to study, and I hope he does, but I am jaded enough to think of the guys sitting beside the road with signs that say "Will work for food".  In short, it may be just a gimmick that works to get sympathy from passing marks.

 

 

It could be a gimmick and all we can do is believe the story on its merits.

Assuming what the teacher said is real or if it was said at all it appears that it's genuine and the story makes sense to me.

 

 

"Daniel is a happy child and also very intelligent. He answers often during class discussions and really gets involved," said one of Daniel's teacher, Rosalina Detuya.

[canadamale]

Hopefully he succeeds in his quest for a better life. If he can stay away from the gangs, drugs, and not get his gf pregnant at 15, he stands a  chance. It is very hard to break out of poverty without a sponsorship.

[lonewolf]

I can be a pessimistic optimus but this I ll take the teacher at her word, its not uncommon for children to have a great desire to learn look at Abraham lincon he wold walk miles for a book and read then after ahard days work on a farm by fire light. this was in a time they started working at the first signs of light til dark. I wish him success

[Thomas]

It is very hard to break out of poverty without a sponsorship.

And not to many to support.

A clever Filipina - one of very few Filipinos, who can count percent -  got SCHOLARSHIP to High School, but because she is second eldest of 12 kids in an only half hektare farming family, she had to QUIT school and start employment to assist the family to survive...

Later she has managed to start small PROFITABLE businesses twice, but - more distance too - relatives has pressured her to "lend" them not only the profit, but the start capital too  :1 (103):   So she told me she will not bother to start any more business at least as long as she live close to relatives...

Now half of her sibblings have reached work age - but reached geting children age too. So almost all of them have 1 - 2 kids each allready... :1 (103):

Earlier her family counted THREE men sharing a NOT even one person half time work as "working", I don't know if it was she, who managed to kick some of the other's bottoms, but now they have more than full time employments and the half hektare farm is handled by the mother and the not grown up kids, so it's a significant improvement  :thumbsup:  

But their employments are very bad paid, so they have to stop making babies to have even a chance to get out of poverty...