Donor paves the way to IT Carlow for Brazilian boy
ANONYMOUS DONOR SAVES THE DAY
FERNANDO DA SILVA, a nineteen year old student, will now attend IT Carlow after receiving his college fees from an anonymous donor.
As the son of a Brazilian meat factory worker, Fernando didn't qualify for free tuition fees because he's seen as an international student.
His dreams of attending college were dashed because his family couldn't afford the fees.
Two weeks ago, Fernando received his Leaving Cert. results, when he scored the requisite points that won him a place in his first choice course of computing and networking.
On discovering that he wasn't entitled to college fees and that his family couldn't come up with the €4,000 annually for the four-year course, his plight was highlighted by the national media.
Fernando's story was spotted by a generous reader who stepped in with an offer to pay the fees.
'I can't believe it,' Fernando told the Irish Times. 'I just want to say thank you to this person who has made my future brighter and I will now be able to finish my education because of his help. I hope the law will change soon for all the other guys with the same situation I had.'
- ELIZABETH LEE
