Posted on 07/12/2015 6:15:03 AM PDT by marthemaria
A homeless boy who was pictured doing his homework by the light from a McDonald's has been inundated with offers of help.
People who saw the photos have now donated cash, school supplies and a college scholarship - which he hopes will enable him to fulfil his dream of becoming a police officer.
Daniel's mother, Christina Espinosa, said: "We're overjoyed. I don't know what I will do with all of these blessings.
"Now, Daniel will not have to suffer just to finish his studies."
The ABS-CBN channel tracked down the Cabrera family and found they did not have a permanent home after their house had been gutted by fire.
The grade three student, who has limited access to electric light, sets himself up under the dim glow of the restaurant's bulbs every evening to carry out his studies.
Ms Espinosa told AFP that she and her three youngest children, including Cabrera, had been living in her employer's mini-grocery store in Mandaue, on the island of Cebu, since their slum dwelling was destroyed five years ago.
The 42-year-old earns just 80 pesos (£1.15) a day and is forced to boost her income by selling cigarettes and sweets on the streets outside of work hours to provide for her family.
She said Daniel's father died of severe diarrhoea in 2013 and since then he had been a tenacious child who was determined to get an education.
"He is a very studious and determined boy... he would insist on going to school even without his lunch money because I have no money to give," Ms Espinosa added.
"He always tells me: 'Mama, I don't want to stay poor. I want to reach my dreams'."
As well as cash, school supplies and the scholarship, he has also been provided with school uniforms and a
(Excerpt) Read more at news.sky.com ...
Indeed. How many eight year olds understand life like that? Good for him. Too bad it’s not a story from one of our own countless ghettos.
The wife didn’t need to be so descriptive on the cause of death for the father.
It makes sense to help those who are putting in the effort. Meanwhile our government punishes those who work and rewards the indolent.
The PI is as poor and hopeless as it was 45 years ago when I visited, except there were no McDonald’s restaurants there. Anyone who doubts America’s exceptionalism needs to visit Asia.
Would it have been better if she’d said “dysentery”? An awful lot of people in the third world die from diarrhea, caused by a variety of pathogens.
I have a number of friends from India, some grew up without electricity and studied under street lamps. What really shocked me was they would go to school in shifts - grade schoolers on the night shift...
Great post... wonderful story. May God watch over this child and keep him safe...
Yes. “dysentery” would’ve been better.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.