Hello. I was born in Maputo, shortly after I came with my mother to live in Vilankulo. I do not remember a lot of my childhood. My mother died in August 2013 and I do not know my father that lives in Maputo, nevertheless, I miss him and I would like to hug him one day. The head of our family looking after my little brother and me is now my older brother that is in grade 9. I like very much to go to school even if I have a long way to walk. I share my time between school, going to the lake to carry water and the housework. Some of our extended families, as well as some members from our church, help us to survive and sometimes come to see us. I like to play jump rope and talk with my girlfriends while walking to the lake.

My name is Ngauja Saffia. I am a boy. I am a Kono by tribe. I am 12 years old. Quantative and Language Arts are my favorite subjects in school. Football is my favorite game. My best food is rice and beans. I am in grade 6. In my leisure time I watch Nigerian movies. I like dancing to our local music. I like going to the mining site to see the people at work. Sometimes women go down the swamps to mine. I want to be an Engineer in the future.

Viviene is proud of herself for having accomplished a good academic standing this school year. Starting high school this coming school year excites her because this will lead her closer to her dream of becoming a teacher. She will be able to help her parents when she finds a permanent teaching job in the future. For Viviene, finishing an education means success. Her personal goal is "To finish my studies; to help my parents; to have a beautiful and successful life." In 2012, Vivienne finished in the top 3 in her class.

My name is Ngauja Saffia. I am a boy. I am a Kono by tribe. I am 12 years old. Quantative and Language Arts are my favorite subjects in school. Football is my favorite game. My best food is rice and beans. I am in grade 6. In my leisure time I watch Nigerian movies. I like dancing to our local music. I like going to the mining site to see the people at work. Sometimes women go down the swamps to mine. I want to be an Engineer in the future.

Simon comes from a single parent family. He lives with his mother who suffers from high blood pressure. Simon's mother is a farmer and she works hard to meet even the most basic needs of her 7 children, but working is sometimes not possible for her due to her sickness. Simon's uncle, who is unemployed, tries to pay for Simon's brothers' and sisters' school fees, but struggles to do so because he, too, has a family of his own. Simon is a calm and relaxed student, who maintains hope and strives to purse an an education.