Everything in my Flickr stream in the last couple of years was shot with a T3i, the 18-55mm kit lens, the 50mm f1.8 ($100), and a Sigma 70-300 ($289). That'll give you an idea as to whether or not you can get any decent photos out of that combination. https://www.flickr.com/photos/eulothg/

That being said, a brand new T5i with the kit lens can be had for $800 or less. I see some on Amazon for $749. You can do some amazing things with the T3i but I hesitate to recommend "old" technology. The T3i is getting long in the tooth with the T6i out.

Maybe you can talk him down to $300 and get the 50mm f1.8 for $100. At that price it's starting to be worth it. Unless he's abused it there should be a lot of photos left in that camera. I think I'm up over 30,000 shutter actuations at this point and mine's still going strong.