Benson believes that without education his life will remain tough.

John Medo comes from Karatu Town in the Arusha Region, Tanzania. Arusha is in Northern Tanzania where tens of thousands of tourists pass by each year, on their way to Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and the world famous Serengeti. In 2008, one such tourist named Matt Severson happened to see John Medo outside his hotel, cutting the grass for his family cow. Since that first encounter, where no more than 10 broken words of English passed between them, both Matt and John's lives changed. They have learned a tremendous amount from one another: how to be bold, how to dream big, and how to inspire. John and Matt have remained in touch via email, via The School Fund's website, and have seen each other every summer in Tanzania. John still dreams of becoming President one day, although of late, he thinks being a doctor wouldn't be too bad either.

Mary writes: "I am the second born in my family. I have three younger sisters. My elder brother reached standard seven education level. My mother is a peasant so we depend only in farming and this is a seasonal agriculture."

Monica writes: "I've lived with my grandmother for the long time. I moved in with her after my father and mother left for Kenya in 1999. Since then I have never gotten any communication with my parents. My grandma was a businesswomen making and selling local brew, but for now she's old to do the business. One of her elder daughters takes care of grandma and us, but she doesn't have permanent job so she sometimes fails to deliver the services to us."

Saumu writes: "I live with my Aunt. I am the second born in my family. My father died in 2008. He suffered from low blood pressure. I live with my aunt because my mother has no job and she normally works on farms which is a seasonal activities. She only rents a single room where we can't together, although I normally pay her a visit on weekends."

John believes that only education can help him reach his dreams.

Kandida is one of seven (she is the 6th born) and lives with her aunt. She has been living with her aunt since her father's burial service in 2003. Kandida walks 30 minutes to school every day. She believes education will allow her to succeed in life. Kandida aspires to be an engineer.

Asha lives at Lugalo due to increasing blindness. Asha has seven siblings. One of her siblings died a few years ago. Her father also has other children. Two of her siblings, too, have trouble seeing, one of whom remains at home while the other still attends school. Asha enjoys singing in the school choir and studying math and Swahili. Asha plans to attend university and aspires to be a social worker who assists the disabled.