Liyjon DeSilva has always been a champion. A native of Texas, he was only five when his mother passed away. He bounced from relatives’ home to home, abused and abandoned. He finally ended up sleeping in parking lots and on park benches in southwest Houston, Texas. Missing school was not an option. He lived like this for three years. When the schoo;’s principal, Jonathan N. Trinh, at Margaret Long Wisdom High School (formerly known as Robert E. Lee High School). learned of his living condition, he was shocked. Trinh used his personal money to pay for DeSliva’s hotel room until his Communities in Schools counselor, Jessica Smith, found a home for him where DeSilva could live rent free and focus on school.
He tells media, “I had no family, I was homeless, I went through child abuse, I went through family using drugs,” His family even tried sending him to Africa because he was told “my father didn’t want me.”
“I went through some of the worst places to live. Where am I now? I am alive and well and blessed. I feel on top of the world. You give somebody that one shot, they can hit the bulls eye. Just that one shot can make the difference.”
DeSilva, 20, graduated the top five percent of his class in May.
He was granted a full scholarship to Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. The Posse award is a fully paid scholarship for students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential,” those who may get bypassed via traditional colleges selections processes.
On the crowdfunding site, Tilt, it reads:
Liyjon has inspired us all with his strength and resilience! Will you help us raise money to pay for airplane tickets to Carleton College for him and one adult, warm clothes, a laptop and dorm room needs? it takes a village! THANK you for supporting him. You can write in any amount when you click CONTRIBUTE and any amount helps! Watch his story here: https://vimeo.com/171809346
The page has already raised more than $13,945 at the time of this writing.
