An image of a homeless boy using the light from a McDonald’s restaurant in the Philippines to do his homework has gone viral on social media.
The nine-year-old boy, Daniel Cabrera, was spotted by a medical student, Joyce Torrefranca, who posted the image on her Facebook page.
I got inspired by a kid ❤️
Posted by Joyce Gilos Torrefranca on Tuesday, June 23, 2015
The image was shared by over 8000 people and found coverage in many international newspapers.
Daniel’s home had burnt down and his father had died of severe diarrhoea. His mother sells cigarettes and sweets in the same area and Daniel is often seen begging with her.
Image of homeless boy using light of @McDonalds in Philippines to do his homework. https://t.co/lbEJQcicMT pic.twitter.com/ZBvig0oBZR
— Haydn Dunn (@HaydnDunn) July 10, 2015
After the image went viral, several people came forward to help her and a fundraising page was set up to help Daniel. Several donations of cash, supplies, and even a college scholarship have come for Daniel.
This 9 year old kid is studying by the light of a mcdonalds in the Philippines. #AlwaysFindAWay pic.twitter.com/04TBlR7Je6
— Cezz Holder (@CeriHolder) July 9, 2015
A local politician Samuel Pagdilao, of the Anti-Crime and Terrorism through Community Involvement & Support (ACT-CIS) party, awarded Daniel an unspecified ‘scholarship grant’.
The local police force also raised funds and provided groceries for the family.
According to AFP, the local church and government social welfare office had also received aid on his behalf.
"Our problem is how to manage all this financial assistance," said Violeta Cavada, the city's social welfare office chief.
"He has become a symbol of poor slum boys in the city who can't study because they don't have electricity."
Ms Torrefranca's post was shared around the world and in multiple languages, including Spanish, German and Portuguese, all touched by the boy's perseverance.
"I couldn't believe how my post went viral and helped him in his studies," she told AFP on Friday.
(With inputs from AFP)&uuid=(email))