Daniel still remembers meeting Hanley when he was just a young boy.

Later, in his teens, Daniel was recruited to join a gang. For Daniel, staying in school was not an option when he needed to work in the dump to help feed his brothers. Steady care from Daniel’s teachers motivated him to graduate high school, and, as Daniel himself is the first to admit, “sometimes life has different plans…sometimes people have more faith in you than [you have in] yourself.”

Before Daniel started attending Safe Passage, he was sure he wanted to be in a gang. “I always grew up with people like that,” Daniel said, “but when I started to attend Safe Passage the teachers and volunteers showed me that with education and a little bit of hope you can reach incredible things.”

Daniel’s opportunity to attend Safe Passage, like so many of our students, gave him a new perspective on life. He used to think he was different from others, that he didn’t belong.

Now, Daniel wants to enter a university and study movies, which he loves most. He wants to help the people of his community, even if he is not yet sure how to do it. Daniel wants to do something so big it will inspire people to help others.

Nine years ago a Safe Passage teacher told Daniel that ‘life is a kaleidoscope, everyone has a different perspective.’ When Daniel heard that phrase, it was the first time that he realized he is an integral part of his community—and the world.

“I could say that I owe everything to Safe Passage. I would love to do something so big that it will inspire people to help others.”