Ndajiri is a bright and driven young woman who dreams of reaching her goals. She loves to study math and play netball. Ndajiri is determined to be successful in her education so she can one day become the Headmaster of Orkeeswa. She lives with her mother, father, grandmother and five younger siblings. Ndajiri’s grandmother is the biggest advocate for her education and deeply supports her pursuit. Her mother and father are unable to provide for Ndajiri’s school fees.

Partn’s father passed away and he stays with his unemployed mother. She cannot afford to pay the school fees for his 7 siblings and him. He enjoys his classes very much and wants to become a police officer after his schooling ends. Partn needs help to achieve his dream.

Helena was born in Sofala province. She is a very quiet girl, humble and friendly. In her free time after school, she is doing her homework and likes to play with her friends. She is orphaned of parents since she was little and then moved in with her grandmother, who took care of her until she was of school age, then ASEM helped her to attend school. In 2013, when she was 12 years old, her Granny died and she stayed living in the house together with her 18 years old cousin. For sustenance, her uncle, when able to, helps the 2 girls. The uncle has a wife with six children, and no permanent job. When the 2 girls have nothing to eat, the neighbors sometimes help them.

The family lives in abject poverty. Parents have no source of income.

Parents separated, father abandoned children to the mother. They have nobody to turn to.

William lives in a household of seven people: his mother and father, two elder sisters, aged 21 and 16, a younger brother, aged 8, his 75-year old grandmother and William himself, who is 13. His father has a job which pays the minimum wage. His mother sometimes earns money by preparing and selling food at a local school, and the eldest sister has recently also found occasional work. William is a bright and keen student and enjoys going to school. His favorite subject is science and at the moment his ambition is to continue studying and to become a doctor. When he’s not studying, William likes to play the guitar. He attends the guitar classes that the Condor Trust runs every Saturday, thanks to a donation from the charity Keys of Change.

I come from a family six and all my family members lives in Kibera. Life here is tough but as a family we have managed to hold together and stay focused. I managed to score 360 out of possible 500 marks which enabled me to be one of the successful Shofco scholarship applicants beneficiary. This enabled me to join Kabare Girls High School to fulfill my dream of being a judge and follow my passion for handball and music. I am so thankful to this program that touches the heart of children who do not have the school fee support.

Genesis lives with her mother and an elder sister, who is 20. They live in a small house built by the government but had to take out a loan for it, which they are now working to pay back. Genesis is a very bright student and managed to get a place at one of the best state secondary schools in the city. This means a long daily journey from her house on the outskirts, as the school is in the middle of the city, but she says she doesn't mind this (most days!). She enjoys most subjects at school, and is also very fond of animals. This is why she would one day like to become a vet.

Joana was born in Inhambane province, where she lived with her parents. She is a very quiet girl and helpful. After fulfilling her homework and household duties, she plays with her friends. She is orphaned of parents. Her mother died in 2003 when the girl was 2 months old, due to illness, and her father died in 2013, victim of illness as well. He used to be a mechanic. After her father’s death, she moved to live with her aunt that works as a clerk at a butcher. What she earns is not enough to sustain the whole family and pay the girl’s school expenses.