Homeless Boy Offered a Scholarship After Photos of Him Doing Homework on the Street Go Viral

12 Jul, 2015 by Sierra Marlee

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Heartbreaking photos of a young homeless child in the Philippines using the light from the local McDonald’s to do his homework have gone viral. His mother and sibling work there, and the family is temporarily living in the establishment after their house was destroyed in a fire. The young boy is determined to go to school and become a police officer because he “wants to help the Phillippines,”

From LoveMeSome:

Little Daniel Cabrera captured the heart’s of the world after the picture of him using light from a nearby McDonald’s to study was shared thousands of times on the internet.

After the photo blew up, the Philippine news station ABS-CBN reported that it found the boy at a restaurant near where the picture was taken. Daniel’s mom, Christina Espinosa, who is a widow, and his sibling work at the restaurant.

The station reported that the family doesn’t have a permanent place to live after their home was destroyed in a fire, and Daniel’s mother is struggling to make ends meet. The family is temporarily living at the restaurant.

Espinosa makes 80 Philippine pesos a day, which is equal to about $1.77.

The boy and his mom appeared on a local radio station, and Daniel said he hopes to one day become a police officer.

The Grade 3 elementary school student in Mandaue City had just one pencil after a classmate stole his second pencil from him, reports AFP.

His mum explained: “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.” Despite the difficult conditions, Daniel is committed to his studies and whilst his classmates are playing football in the streets, he is often spotted studying in the light of the restaurant.

“He always tells me: ‘Mama, I don’t want to stay poor. I want to reach my dreams’.”

As Daniel’s story spread across the web, donations began to pour in for his family.

A local politician, Rep. Samuel Pagdilao, has given Daniel a scholarship, and Espinosa has been given grants from sponsors to start her own business, ABS-CBN reported. The family have also received donations of money and food from local law enforcement and are working with a social worker to see how else they can be helped, according to the TV station.