Nancy is a 16 year old girl who hopes to become a doctor. She got a fistula very young and has had several surgeries over the years. The fistula and her family’s poverty have made it difficult for her to be in school continuously, but despite this Nancy performed very well on her year end exam after form 1 last year. She will be entering form 2 but her family does not have the money to pay her fees - Nancy admits that paying for school is so difficult she has considered suicide in the past. She is one of six siblings and lives with her parents, who do not have a source of income.

Phanie's father died when she was ten years old due to brain cancer. Her mum runs a thrift shop where she sells second hand clothes. Her sisters works as a waiter in a hotel and uses whatever she earns to pay her own fees at the college where she is taking a degree in education. Her younger brother is in primary school. When Phanice was in primary school, she spent a lot of time out of school waiting for her parents to find some money to pay for her exam fees. Her life has changed now that she has been provided with enough books to read and also no longer misses class. "I thank Wema very much for the great impact they have had on my life and also the great teachers at this place and I am confident i will achieve an A after my four years here." -Phanice.

Her mother sweeps and cleans streets. Barly has one meal a day

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

Sheila’s mother passed away when she was two years old so she stays with her unemployed father. She loves playing volleyball and wants to be a college professor someday.

Cynthia lives with her parents and three younger brothers, aged nine, five and two, in a small rented house in a village in the mountains. Her father works on the land. His income is erratic: at times he cannot find work and at other times the severe mountain weather prevents him from working. Cynthia goes to the local school, although she will have to change schools at the end of the next academic year as her present school does not cater for the last three years of secondary education. This will mean a fairly long daily journey for Cynthia, as the nearest suitable school is several miles away. At the moment, she is happy with her friends in the local school. She particularly enjoys maths and eventually hopes to be able to find a job working with computers.

Roffine's father suffers from an undiagnosed mental condition. He disappears at times and then reappears unexpectedly. The family lives on a small piece of land and Her mother works in people's farms. During her primary school days, Roffine was regularly sent home for the small fees that her mother could not afford to pay in time. She is now very comfortable at Wema and she says it feels to her like her home. "I will work extra hard to achieve my goal of being an accountant and help my family." -Rophine.

Faith is the last-born child in a family of three. She did her final primary school exam in 2018 and passed well but she could not proceed to high school due to lack of school fees. She however did not give up in life. She decided to repeat grade eight with hope that her mother would take her to school. Due to extreme poverty her elder siblings never went to high school. Her father is a drunkard and abusive. With the little income from casual jobs, her mother has managed to cater for the family’s basic needs. With all these many challenges, Faith has remained focused. She dreams to be a renowned lawyer in future to litigate on matters concerning the poor and especially the girl child. To her determination knows no barriers.

I am a girl aged 13 years old, hard working and dedicated to my studies. I went to Olympic Primary School and managed to score 400 marks . I am staying with my family: father, mother and my three sisters. My father is a casual worker while my mother runs a small grocery kiosk. We live from hand to mouth due to low income from both my parents. I am a girl who believes that being poor is the state of mind and not permanent because good attitude and hard work can help change my life. While at work, my mother had her fellow group members talking about the scholarship from SHOFCO and then she helped me to apply. After confirmation that I was successful as one of the beneficiaries I am really thankful to the almighty God because He's great.