Ako Si Daniel: Philippines unites behind homeless boy pictured doing his homework in street

Up for School or #upforschool campaign

Daniel Cabrera - whose plight on the streets of Manila moved people across the world - has been inundated with offers of money and other help.


I got inspired by a kid ❤️

Posted by Joyce Gilos Torrefranca on Tuesday, 23 June 2015

 

If a picture is worth a thousand words then the one of Daniel Cabrera is worth so much more. It has already changed his life.

Daniel, aged just nine, became a global sensation only hours after he was photographed doing his homework on a makeshift table outside a McDonald’s restaurant in the Philippines.

He needed the bright lights from the fast food takeaway in Cebu, Manila, to help him write and study, jealously guarding his one pencil.

The photograph – taken by student Joyce Torrefranca and posted on her Facebook page – was remarkable for two reasons. Daniel was doing something of his own free will that many children prefer to avoid. And he doesn’t have a home.

But in the space of a few days, Daniel’s tough life on the streets rapidly came to an end as the world was inspired by his determination to learn under extreme circumstances.

He was awarded a scholarship by local politician Samuel Pagdilao and Daniel’s mum – who earned $1.77 a day working in a restaurant – has been awarded grants to help her start her own business and put a roof over her family’s head.

Pledges of money and food and messages of support have been flooding in from every corner of the globe.

Daniel said: “I study here because there are no lights in our home. I think one day I would like to be a policeman or maybe even a doctor.”

There are 1.2 million primary-age children not in school in the Philippines. Evelin Weber, a writer, entrepreneur and Philippines Ambassador for #UpForSchool – the petition demanding that world leaders get all children into school – said: “There’s no more powerful force than education to lift people out of poverty. In the Philippines it is unacceptable that so many children lack access to basic primary education.

“We are a great country and are capable of addressing this problem but until we do, we will never realise our full potential.”

The student who took the photograph has been overwhelmed by the response to her image. Joyce said: “I didn’t think that a simple photo could make a huge difference. 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.”

Evelin Weber says “education is a powerful force”

Joyce is not wrong. In a few short days a children-led social media campaign has kicked off in the Philippines involving girls and boys holding up signs saying #AkoSiDaniel (#IAmDaniel) in support of education for all and it links directly to the #UpForSchool Petition which has so far attracted the support of eight million people worldwide.

Ruzzel Morales, Ambassadress for National Alliance of Youth Leaders – Visayas, said: “Don’t forget to sign the petition. Share your selfies too using #‎AkoSiDaniel and #‎UpForSchool. Education is a right and unless we act on it, there will still be children in our country that won’t have the experience of going to school. You can do your own video to support this cause.”

Benedict Joson, one of a World at School’s Global Youth Ambassadors from the Philippines, said: “The photo of Daniel Cabrera, the illustration of his perseverance to pursue his education, has inspired many to stand #UpForSchool.

“His story is a charge to world leaders to ensure that every child, especially the impoverished and marginalised, have access to safe school and quality learning that will allow them to dream, to hope, and to realise their potential.”

You can sign the #UpForSchool Petition at the Philippines is #UpForSchool page.

If a picture is worth a thousand words then the one of Daniel Cabrera is worth so much more. It has already changed his life.

Daniel, aged just nine, became a global sensation only hours after he was photographed doing his homework on a makeshift table outside a McDonald’s restaurant in the Philippines.

He needed the bright lights from the fast food takeaway in Cebu, Manila, to help him write and study, jealously guarding his one pencil.

The photograph – taken by student Joyce Torrefranca and posted on her Facebook page – was remarkable for two reasons. Daniel was doing something of his own free will that many children prefer to avoid. And he doesn’t have a home.

But in the space of a few days, Daniel’s tough life on the streets rapidly came to an end as the world was inspired by his determination to learn under extreme circumstances.

He was awarded a scholarship by local politician Samuel Pagdilao and Daniel’s mum – who earned $1.77 a day working in a restaurant – has been awarded grants to help her start her own business and put a roof over her family’s head.

Pledges of money and food and messages of support have been flooding in from every corner of the globe.

Daniel said: “I study here because there are no lights in our home. I think one day I would like to be a policeman or maybe even a doctor.”

There are 1.2 million primary-age children not in school in the Philippines. Evelin Weber, a writer, entrepreneur and Philippines Ambassador for #UpForSchool – the petition demanding that world leaders get all children into school – said: “There’s no more powerful force than education to lift people out of poverty. In the Philippines it is unacceptable that so many children lack access to basic primary education.

“We are a great country and are capable of addressing this problem but until we do, we will never realise our full potential.”

The student who took the photograph has been overwhelmed by the response to her image. Joyce said: “I didn’t think that a simple photo could make a huge difference. 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.”

Joyce is not wrong. In a few short days a children-led social media campaign has kicked off in the Philippines involving girls and boys holding up signs saying #AkoSiDaniel (#IAmDaniel) in support of education for all and it links directly to the #UpForSchool Petition which has so far attracted the support of eight million people worldwide.

Ruzzel Morales, Ambassadress for National Alliance of Youth Leaders – Visayas, said: “Don’t forget to sign the petition. Share your selfies too using #‎AkoSiDaniel and #‎UpForSchool. Education is a right and unless we act on it, there will still be children in our country that won’t have the experience of going to school. You can do your own video to support this cause.”

Benedict Joson, one of a World at School’s Global Youth Ambassadors from the Philippines, said: “The photo of Daniel Cabrera, the illustration of his perseverance to pursue his education, has inspired many to stand #UpForSchool.

“His story is a charge to world leaders to ensure that every child, especially the impoverished and marginalised, have access to safe school and quality learning that will allow them to dream, to hope, and to realise their potential.”


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