A Difficult Childhood
Dalton Da Silva was forced to grow up quickly.
As a young boy, his parents separated. His mom and baby sister moved out, and they had no one to care for them. Concerned for their survival, Dalton gathered dried grass and carefully tied it together to make traditional sweeping brooms. He sold them for less than $2 each and gave what he earned to his mom. Eventually, he left his dad’s house and moved in with his mom, where they all lived in a single room. Though still a young kid, he was responsible for caring for his little sister while mom worked as a cleaner for a local orphanage.
Losing Hope
As he got older and the pressures of life grew, he stopped going to church.
“At that time, I was really hopeless,” Dalton said. “Even if I was sick or in pain, I just kept saying, ‘Whatever happens, happens. I don’t care.’ ”
He had seen too much struggle at a young age—his family fractured, his mother working tirelessly, and his dreams feeling out of reach. The weight of responsibility fell on his small shoulders, but he refused to let it crush him. Instead, he pressed on.
A Dream of Higher Education
Despite these challenges, Dalton dreamed of a better future. He desired to study at a university, but didn’t have enough money.
Then he heard about the WAVS vocational school in his community and learned that the tuition fee was affordable. So he started saving up, working tirelessly as a janitor at a local orphanage where his mom also worked. Sometimes, people would make fun of him for working as a cleaner, but he didn’t care. Between the two of them, they earned enough to pay for his tuition and enroll in the WAVS welding training program.
Becoming a Welder
He saw welding as more than just a skill—it was a lifeline. It was a way to provide for his mother and sister, a way to take control of his future. He knew that if he dedicated himself to learning, he could build something lasting, both for himself and for those he loved.
Dalton had to walk several miles each day to get to school. He often would get hungry and grow weak from the heat, but he was committed to finishing what he started. In the end, it paid off.
“The WAVS school helped me a lot because it showed me I could do things I didn’t think I could do before,” Dalton said.
And he learned more than just how to weld.
Finding Faith Again
“The teachers showed me that we shouldn’t just hold on to our work. If we do, we will forget God,” he said. “If we hold on to God, then He will give us eternal life. I always had difficulties, but God is big, and I can do anything with His help.”
During his time at WAVS, one of his instructors shared a story about a shepherd. The lesson stuck with Dalton, who realized how often society looks down on humble jobs. It reminded him of his own experience when a girl his age mocked him for working as a cleaner with his mother. But instead of feeling ashamed, he told her, “The money that I earn buys the food I eat, pays for my school, and pays for my clothes. Why should I be embarrassed about that?” His resilience in the face of judgment helped shape his perspective on hard work and dignity.
The instructors at the WAVS school not only equipped Dalton with valuable skills but also nurtured his faith. “Before WAVS, I did not care about the Word of God and I was hopeless about my life and my future. When the teacher shared about Jesus and His hope, it helped me a lot.”
From Student to Teacher
Dalton proved himself to be such a hard-working student, that the welding program hired him as an instructor. Now, he is having the same impact on his students that his own welding instructors had on him. Today, he leads devotions in the welding class, sharing his faith and encouraging his students to pursue their dreams, both earthly and eternal.
Now, as he stands before his students, Dalton sees reflections of himself in their eyes—the same hunger for opportunity, the same uncertainty about the future. He is determined to be the mentor that he once needed, guiding them not only in their craft but also in the faith that sustained him. His story is proof that perseverance, faith, and education can change the course of a life.
Join One Student, a community of monthly donors giving young people in Guinea-Bissau the opportunity to build a brighter future. At WAVS vocational schools, students invest in their education by paying a small portion of their tuition. When you sponsor a student, you help cover the rest—making their training possible.
