The photo inspiring the world

Before you read: some questions to help you think about the topic and the words you might need.

What stories of kindness do you know?

How powerful is a photo or image?

When Joyce posted photographs of a young boy on Facebook, she had no idea what an effect that simple action would soon have on the child’s life.

On June 23, the student from Mandaue City, Philippines, shared two photos of a child studying at a temporary table on a sidewalk. “I got inspired by a kid,” the woman wrote.

Over the following days, Joyce’s post went viral, inspiring Filipino news ABS-CBN to track down the child.

ABS-CBN says they were able to locate the boy, 9-year-old Daniel Cabrera, at a shop close to the McDonald's where the photos of him were taken. Daniel’s mom, Christina Espinosa, is said to be an employee at the store.

According to the news, Espinosa, who is a widow, and her three young children have been living at the store ever since their old and poor house was destroyed by fire five years ago. Daniel’s mom says she earns just 80 pesos, or about $1.77, a day working at the store and as a house cleaner. Her husband died in 2013.

Even though there are myriad challenges the family has, Espinosa says Daniel, who is now in third grade, has always been a dedicated student.

"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," she told the news “He always tells me: 'Mama, I don't want to stay poor. I want to reach my dreams.'”

The boy is now being given a much-needed helping hand.

In the last few days, Espinosa says the family has been deluged with donations, school supplies and other gifts.

According to ABS-CBN, a local politician named Samuel has given Daniel a scholarship, and local police have also done their part -- giving the family money and buying them groceries.

"We're overjoyed, I don't know what I will do with all of these blessings," Espinosa told the news. "Now Daniel will not have to suffer just to finish his studies."

In a recent interview with radio station DZMM, Daniel said that his dream is to become a policeman one day.

“I want … to help the Philippines,” he said.

On her part, Joyce has said that she's amazed at how one "simple photo" could make such a "huge difference."

"Thank you guys for sharing the photo," she wrote on Facebook. "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."

Try to guess the meaning of the words in bold and match them with their closest meaning from the choices in the right. Some of the answers are very close and have similar meaning. The meaning of these words is how they are used in the reading. Some of these words have different meanings in the dictionary depending on how they are used.

 The answers are below the table.

A=2, B=1, C=9, D=6, E=4, F=8, G=3, H=7, I=5

Some example sentences using the new words or phrases from the meaning of how they are used in the reading to help you understand better.

1. A few years ago Korean rap artist made a song called Gangnam Style that went viral

2. Police have been trying to track down the criminal.

3. If you go to the Foreign Food and Culture Festival, you can see a myriad of different foods and clothing.

4. My mother was dedicated to helping me be a better person.

5. He insisted that he pay for the dinner this time.  

6. If you see someone with a heavy bag on the bus it is good to give them a helping hand by giving them your seat.

7. In late July there is a deluge of rain in Korea.

8. The team members were angry with him because he had not done his part in the project.

9. If you are trying to loose weight, then even a small success like losing 1 kg, can motivate you to keep trying.

    

Some questions using the new words/phrases. Try to use the words/phrases in your answer.

1. Do you know of any other wonderful stories like this that went viral? Tell me about them?

2. How has the Internet made it easier to track down old friends from middle or high school these days?

3. Do you feel that compared to your grandparents youth, you have a myriad of more things to do than they did?

4. What charity or cause would you like to dedicate yourself to? How do you feel about people who dedicate themselves to helping strangers?

5. What did you mother insist on you doing?

6. How important is it that we give others in our society a helping hand?

7. How do you feel when there is a deluge of rain in the rainy season?

8. Is it important for children to do their part to give a helping hand in the house, or should they just study?

9. Has this story motivated you in any way?