A young student changed the life of poverty-stricken boy forever after she took a photo of him doing his homework outside a fast food restaurant because he had nowhere else to study.
Joyce Torrefranca is a student in Mandaue City, Philippines and noticed 9-year-old Daniel Cabrera outside a local McDonalds. She posted the photo to Facebook and wrote that she was inspired by the kid.
Photo credit: Facebook / Joyce Torrefranca
The photo quickly went viral and news media approached Daniel to learn more about him.
Daniel studies in the parking lot because his house has no lights and he sometimes sleeps on the streets. A news station reported that his family does not have a permanent home after it was destroyed in a fire. Daniel’s mother struggles to make ends meet, making around 80 pesos a day (around $1.77). As Daniel’s story spread, donations and food poured in for him and his family. The young boy has been given a scholarship by a local politician and his mom has been given grants from sponsors to start her own business.
After taking the photo it went viral. Torrenfranca never thought her photo would have such a profound effect on Daniel’s life. “I didn’t think that a simple photo can make a huge difference,” she wrote. “Thank you guys for sharing the photo. 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.”
The 3rd grader said he wants to be a policeman or a doctor when he grows up.
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