An Inspiring Dream: A Boy's Homework on the Streets Touches Thousands

Sad stories are all too common, but fortunately, this story has a happy ending.

Daniel Cabrera is a nine-year-old from the Philippines who has already faced several life challenges that have turned his world upside down. Despite being born into a normal household, a few months after his father fell ill and passed away, tragedy struck again as their home was destroyed by fire. Daniel and his mother were left to live on the streets.

Daniel's photo became viral after Joyce Torfrenka, a young college student in the Philippines, randomly snapped it while walking by. "It touched my heart to see a child doing his homework on the street. He was sitting there with a table and chair at night, using the light from nearby restaurants as his illumination," she shared.

"After we lost the family breadwinner, we had no money for rent or bills," said Daniel's mother once the photo went viral on social media. Over time, they moved into a small, run-down apartment, but Daniel continued to do his homework on the streets as his mother’s earnings couldn’t cover both rent and electric bills.

"When I asked him why he studied on the street, Daniel told me, 'I have to study hard even if I can’t do it at home because my dream is to become a doctor.' It was really moving, and I hope he succeeds," Joyce wrote on her Facebook page. "With determination like his, nothing will stand in his way."

Daniel's story moved thousands worldwide, and soon after, his mother received not only a proper home, but also financial support and scholarships for Daniel's future medical studies.