When 13-year-old Leila’s sketchbook was accidentally thrown away by her mom during spring cleaning, she cried for hours. She thought it was gone forever.

But a local garbage collector saw the drawings before compacting the trash. Stunned by their beauty, he saved them.

He later posted a few sketches online. They went viral.

Now Leila’s artwork is displayed in a major gallery. She’s been offered scholarships—and her story is a reminder that even trash can hold treasure.