Incredible footage has emerged of a Filipino girl who decided to brave torrential monsoon rains in order to finish her homework. Just eight years of age, Lorensalie Elaine Dolfo, can be seen working on her school project outside an apartment block in the Filipino capital of Manila as her mother and sister slept – the family had recently been made homeless after the father became sick.
But no set of unfortunate circumstances was going to stop this tenacious young girl from achieving her academic goals. Huddled underneath a dark coat, the youngster goes about completing her work as the wind howls and the rain continues to pour – it is a tragic yet hopeful scene. When a passerby asks her why she is so determined to complete her work, she reportedly said that she wants to achieve good grades so she can land a good job to support her struggling family.
“I want to finish my homework and do well at school,” she said, according to the Daily Mail. “Then I can have a good job and take care of myself and my family. I need to finish the work for the teacher.”
Elaine’s father, Jerry, is a taxi driver but had fallen on hard times after becoming ill. His inability to work meant that the family was evicted from their apartment and forced onto the streets. The passerby, Rolando Villanueva, said was utterly inspired by the girl’s spirit and the stunning value she placed on her education.
“This is something that I will show my children so they remember how important it is to take school seriously. Everyone should remember how fortunate they are to have a good education,” he said. “Little Elaine will succeed in life. I am sure. She is so determined and very bright. She has lost her home and has nowhere comfortable but she still made it a priority to do her homework. It is very inspirational.”
Villanueva shared footage and images of the girl on Facebook. His post has been liked almost 2,000 times and received hundreds of shares. Many of those responding to the heartbreaking scene expressed outrage that more is not being done to help children who are in such desperate need. “This child is so hardworking, hope the government can help her,” one user wrote. “Poor kid, where is this place?” another added, clearly looking to go and help the struggling family.
Rolando said he hopes his post will remind his own kids to appreciate the privilege of receiving an education and will inspire them to work diligently at school.
“I took the video to show my children, who are almost the same age, to get inspired and to continue studying,” he told Coconuts Manila.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2246564088693741&set=pcb.2246567165360100&type=3&theater
“I hope all children are as hardworking as you when it comes to studying… ” he wrote. “To other students out there, don’t waste what you have.”