As young as 6 years old, Daniel Dejapin ran away from home in the slums of Manila because he felt that his parents did not care for them and he could not understand why there were so many people constantly going in and out of their house.
Living in the streets, Daniel saw what a difficult life he had gotten himself into yet he tried his best to earn an honest living and stay away from the kids sniffing solvent to forget about the cares of the world for a little while.
Instead, Daniel took to selling roses. Even while he was rejected many times by would-be customers and had to eat food he salvaged from trash, he did not let go of his dream of finishing school so he could have a better life.
His advisers told him that he could earn more money if he finishes high school. So, he strived hard to go to school. His teachers were helpful and understood his plight; though he did experience bullying.
A brilliant boy, he was eventually able to obtain a scholarship from Aguinaldo International School where he graduated from high school. But while getting a high school degree was something that would surely land him a job now, he knew he could have a better chance at a brighter future if he could go to college.
After months of searching for scholarships, he was able to obtain something that you’ll surely be amazed of: a United World College scholarship which gave him the chance to study in Robert Bosch College in Germany!
It truly is amazing that from a street kid with an almost zero chance of getting a good future, this young man is now in Germany studying to become a social worker so he could help people!
He told Rappler, “Gusto kong malaman ng mga tao na… Ang batang kalye kasi pag binigyan mo sila ng oportunidad na mailabas yung talento nila, na mailabas yung kung anumang kaya nila…”
(I want people to know… that when street children are given the opportunity to develop their talents, to showcase their abilities, [they shine].)
He added, “Nagbabago siya kasi bawa’t oportunidad na binibigay sa isang bata, lalo na sa batang kalye, kailangan lang talaga palakasin yung loob, palakasin lang yung paniniwala nila. Magbabago din sila. Katulad ko. Kasi kung wala yung mga tao sa paligid ko, isa pa rin ako sa kanila or isa pa din ako sa mga batang nagtitinda ng bulaklak.”
(A child changes with every opportunity you give him, especially street children – they just really need confidence, faith. And they will be transformed. Like me. If it weren’t for the people around me, I would still be one of them, one of the kids selling flowers on the street.)
Good luck, Daniel Dejapin! You truly are a wonderful inspiration to everyone…
One of the most touching and inspirational videos I have ever seen…