14 DAY TRIAL // Computer programmer Patrick McConlogue has offered a homeless man he was passing by every day the chance to have a life change.
He offered to either give him $100 (€75) or teach him code so that he can work in computer programming and web and software development.
"Option #1: I will give you $100 (€75) in cash.
"Option #2: I will return tomorrow with a basic laptop and three books to learn to code. I will then come an hour early before work and teach you to become a software engineer," McConlogue posted on Medium.
According to Business Insider, the drifter chose to take him up on the lessons, responding the next day. He refused the offer for quick cash.
The alternative involved at least eight weeks of learning, which was meant to give him the option to work as a freelancer.
"It’s that feeling you get when you know the waiter, the cashier, the janitor is in the wrong place—they are smart, brilliant even. This is my attempt to fix one of those lost pieces," McConlogue says.
He adds that he has found that the homeless man, who has been identified as Leo, is very knowledgeable on many topics. He is interested in environmental issues, the world's resources and fuel efficiency.
"The point of the post is I want to help this one homeless guy I see on my way to work and here's how I think I could do it. [...] It's all I have to offer. I can't give him more than $100 (€75). I can't give him a house," McConlogue explained.
Leo received a Chromebook, a Code Academy account and books to learn code, which take him from a beginner level to a more advanced level.
"I think he'll take the opportunity, I hope he takes it. [...] After all, he's got enough of a press following that this could end up being something really great for him," he wrote before getting Leo's answer.