[Fegasderty]

Well brother, I cannot give you the best opinion on this as my knowledge is quiet limited. However were not in the state that you would be able to pay such a large amount of money so I think that you giving him the sadaqa you did and telling him " may Allah help you, and make your rezq nearer to you " ( Allah ysahelak).
However as you seem as a very good Muslim (masha'a Allah, you're rare ) you can ask people in your community of friends and family to save the money needed together plus a little more to get him started on a new road towards a better life and isA you'll get the reward.
w Allahu alam, Allah knows best