Nohemi is from Mendosayoc, an extremely remote community that is approximately a three-day trip from Cusco, on the border of the Andes and the Amazon. There is no high school in Mendosayoc, so Nohemi left her community at age 12 and moved to Calca, where she completed her secondary education. Now, because of Mosqoy’s support, she will be studying at a post-secondary institute in Cusco. Nohemi hopes to return to her hometown once she graduates and support her community and family. Nohemi is a strong advocate for gender equality and the empowerment of women in education. She feels lucky that her family supported her to pursue her studies, “even though she was a girl.”

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

Bilan has six sisters and three brothers. Bilan is proud to be going to the Abaarso School and receiving a quality education. Although learning English is challenging for Bilan, English is one of her favorites classes. She also enjoys social studies, and in her free time likes to read novels and history books. By reading more and practicing English, Bilan hopes to improve her English. Beyond reading, Bilan also enjoys helping around our community whenever there are projects that she can work on. In the future, Bilan hopes to be a doctor.

Farhiya's father is disabled and the mom takes care of her five siblings. Farhiya enjoys the debate club at school it helps her to improve on her vocabulary.

My life is hard because in our family are 7 children and other relatives. My father is a fisherman, my mother is a housewife. My father normally leaves home for more than two months to fish in Kidatu dam. He can’t catch enough fish because he doesn’t have sufficient tools. He cannot provide us all the basics. I got a TSF scholarship and I was proud when I passed my O-level studies. My A-level studies start in July. I am thankful for TSF help. I want to be a doctor and will study and work to achieve. One day I will be able to help my family overcome the difficulties we are going through.

Samjhana was very young when her father died. Her mother is in the village.

Finding the money to pay tuition fees was a common worry for many Apas Secondary School students. It was not unusual for students to have to leave school for weeks at a time to work until they could scrape together enough money for tuition. Students in this difficult situation approached the Educate! Leadership and Entrepreneurship training with incredible enthusiasm and dedication. Students at the Apas Student Business Club initiated a business selling flowers and plants, by collecting used water bottles, planting flowers and herbs and selling them for cooking, medicinal, and aesthetic purposes. Additionally, students have sold homemade popcorn packaged in recycled paper bags branded with a logo they designed. Many of the students have started individual businesses as well, using profits from their businesses to pay for school fees and necessities, or to improve their businesses. They say they're less stressed now that they have the ability to generate income to pay their tuition and fees. {link ?c=info&t=community&m=esbs Learn more} about Educate!, Schools Building Schools and The School Fund's partnership to fund four Ugandan schools!

Eunice is a student from a humble family brought up by a single mother. Her father died in 2005 and since then they have been suffering. Her mother is a farmer who struggles to make ends meet. Eunice is so determined to become a doctor one day and is working hard to fulfill her dream.

My name is Hassan Mansaray. I am a boy about 13 years old. I am in grade 6. I have one brother and two sisters. I like doing mathematics and Science. My favorite food is foo-foo and Okra Soup. Football is my favorite game, and I like being the goalkeeper for my team. In my leisure time I watch Nigerian Movies. I like helping my parents with the domestic work. I play hide and seek with my friends for fun. I want to be a scientist when I get older.