but obaid would find help from 7,000 miles away. outside boston when cindy barrett saw a "nightly news" report from last november. >> i think in part i connected with this little boy because i have young grandsons, and my grandchildren are healthy and strong and athletic. the contrast was just too much for me to ignore to see this child. i really made a connection to him. >> reporter: cindy isn't rich but decided to donate a few thousand dollars. it changed his life. paid for books, a school uniform and tuition. his father helped him dress for the first day of school. he hasn't missed a day since. he can't climb the stairs as quickly as other students but one step at a time all by himself. he makes it to his classroom. >> how are you, obaid, good to see you. >> reporter: when i visited in march obaid was optimistic and strong with big plans for the future. >> what do you want to do when you grow up? >> reporter: he says he wants to be a heart surgeon. now learning english he wrote cindy a letter. he had something to tell her. thank