The photo was posted on Facebook by Joyce Torrefranca who also took it. It showed a little boy with a makeshift table studying outside McDonald's, using the light from the restaurant. A month after the photo was posted, it has gained international exposure and heartwarming results, with 7,000 shares on social media.
The little boy is 9-year old Daniel Cabrera from Mandaue City, Philippines. Since the photo went viral, many have sent school supplies and financial aid to the family of Daniel. One even sent a reading lamp. Daniel's father died, leaving their mother to take care of them. Their house was burned down, and they now live in a store where his mother works at P 80/day salary. It is never enough for her 5 children, and Daniel is often seen in the streets begging. He goes to school with only one pencil, after a classmate stole his second pencil.
Because of that viral photo, Daniel is getting a scholarship grant from the Anti-Crime and Terrorism through Community Involvement & Support party. On top of that is a scholarship from McDonald's Philippines - a basic educational scholarship that covers his school expenses, supplies and uniform up to grade 12. With all the money and pledges coming in, Daniel has enough to see him through college. He intends to study to be a policeman.
''As Filipinos, we are proud to meet a boy so determined to succeed in life," Kenneth Yang, McDonald's Philippines president and CEO said in a statement. "It is with an open heart that we grant him a scholarship to help him achieve his goals."
The good deeds cannot just stop with Daniel. McDonald's also plans to hold a reading program in the school of Daniel for 400 grade 1 students, including Gabriel, the younger brother of Daniel. It will also distribute Read to Learn kits and train teachers.
