Both parents died. Children living with a very poor grandmother.

Dokes' parents separated, and she lives with her grandparents who are poor and unable to pay school fees

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.

Agnes is the second born child in a family of six. Despite facing many challenges, she managed to emerge second top student in her school. Her poor background did not deter her from achieving her goal. She is very determined to succeed in life and become the first surgeon in her village. Her father is a woodcarver while her mother is a house wife. Due to lack of market for wood carvings her father has not been able to provide for the big family. This coupled with frequent droughts has seen the family lack basic needs like food. Agnes is very focused and believes that no man is limited in this world.

Mitchell lives with her 6 siblings and unemployed parents. She loves science and would like to become nurse.

Family lives in poverty, many children. Cannot afford basic needs.

Milena was born in Santo Domingo de los Colorados, but the family moved to Quito shortly afterwards. She is the youngest member of the family. She likes studying and has found it difficult not having face-to-face lessons during the pandemic. She has particularly missed the dance classes and presentations wearing traditional Ecuadorian dress, which the school organised.

I was born into an extended family where nobody has a job. The only thing they can do is to practice small scale agriculture. I saw the life get more difficult, when I started primary education. Now I am thankful to have joined secondary education. I believe I will be a success. I want to be a doctor. In order to get there, I will use my time to work hard in studying science subjects like biology, chemistry and physics. I hope four years from now, I will have finished my ordinary level and joined advanced level.

Enoch lives with his 8 siblings and unemployed parents. He loves math and science and he would like to become an engineer.