Father died, mother is jobless not able to sustain their basic needs.

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.

Zeyna is the firstborn child in a family of three. Her parents are unemployed and depend on subsistence farming, which has adversely been affected by frequent droughts. Zeyna is a brilliant young girl who is determined to achieve her goals despite the many challenges she has been going through. Her dream to become a journalist has been her driving force. She has been concerned about many cases happening in the rural areas with no one to report to the world. For her education is an eye opener.

The family cannot satisfy basic need since they are poor and no source of income

My parents separated a long time ago and I have not seen either of them for two years now. I live with my grandparents and with my brother and sister. My grandfather owns one donkey and one cow, so we do not have very much money. My grandfather is also sick so my grandmother has a temporary job and this is where we get all of our money. Sometimes we have a hard time getting by on just that money. I finished primary school and I knew that I liked mathematics and history the best. I also like playing sports like netball.

I have been staying with my mother after she got divorced with my father. This forces my mother to take care us without any support from my father. My mother being the only bread winner, works as a housekeeper everyday. She fights hard to put food on the table, which sometimes is not easy to manage feeding the five of us. My mother always prays for us everyday so that we receive blessings. I got lucky after applying for the scholarship program for less fortunate children in Kibera. My hope is to become a neuro-surgeon and in the future I will help my mother and other children come out of poverty.

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.

Faith's parents are too poor to afford her education. She has three brothers and one grandmother. She loves playing football (soccer).

Nthenya is the firstborn child in a family of four. Her parents rely on odd jobs to cater for the family needs. ÊDespite many challenges, Nthenya emerged victorious in her exams. She aspires to be a doctor in future to treat the less privileged in the society especially children. She believes that one rises by uplifting others.