“I opted not to tell my children what I do for a career because I didn’t want them to feel bad or ashamed of me. I’d always wanted to prevent this; it was my objective from the start.

My youngest daughter occasionally asked me what I did for a career, but I always attempted to avoid answering her question and gave evasive answers. I simply informed her that I was a worker and immediately changed the subject so she would forget what she had asked me.

Every day before I went home to my family, I had a shower in a public restroom because I hoped that by doing so, I would arrive home clean and my children would not suspect or question what I was doing.

I did all of this so that they wouldn’t suspect anything and start looking into what their father works during the day. My children’s education was the most important thing to me; I wanted them to focus on their education and complete their studies without worrying about me.

I wanted my daughters to treat themselves with dignity in public. All I wanted was for someone to think less of me than they did of me.

I was always embarrassed by other people, so I vowed that every penny I earned would go toward my daughters’ education. I want something different for children, a life apart from mine.

Instead of buying new clothes with my money, I decided buying books for my daughters would be better.

I just asked that they earn my respect in exchange for our friendship. I worked in the cleaning industry.

I didn’t have the money for my daughter’s college application until the day before she was supposed to apply.

I couldn’t work that day. Therefore I didn’t have any money. I didn’t know how to stop sobbing so my kid wouldn’t notice, but I felt terrible inside because I couldn’t give her what she needed.

Everyone was staring at me, but no one came over to inquire how I was or if I needed anything.

I was only thinking about when I’d arrive home, and my daughter would inquire about the funds for her college application. I had no idea how to respond. I felt terrible since I was unsuccessful, at least not enough to provide for my children’s needs.

My family had a low income, and I used to feel that nothing good or wonderful could ever happen to a man who had a low income and struggled daily.

Something entirely unexpected happened to me once my work routine concluded. All my coworkers approached me and offered me their entire day’s earnings.

I tried to refuse them, but before I could finish, they insisted that our children needed to go to college to have a better life than we did.

Because of their fantastic gesture, I was dumbfounded. That day, I opted not to use public restrooms to shower and instead went home in my work clothes.

One of my children has already completed her studies and refuses to let me go to work.

My eldest daughter is already working, and my other three girls pay for their education.

I still want to go to work, but my eldest daughter insists I let her drive me there.

In addition, my daughter always brings lunch to my coworkers and me.

They questioned her why she was doing this one day, and she said she would be forever grateful that they all didn’t eat one day to help her go to college.

I am quite proud of my children, and I no longer consider myself a poor man. How could I be impoverished when I have such exceptional children?”