10 and Older

Byron lives in a small rural community with his older brother, Freddy, and his parents. Byron’s father is alcoholic and does not support the family financially. His mother works for the city, but her contract is for six months and may not be renewed. His grandfather currently helps support the family by paying for some

Freddy lives in a small rural community with his younger brother, Byron, and his parents. Freddy’s father is alcoholic and does not support the family financially. His mother works for the city, but her contract is for six months and may not be renewed. Freddy wants to continue studying, but knows that it is difficult

Carlos lives in a small rural community with his parents and two siblings. His father is the family’s only source of income — he works as a security guard at night and in agriculture during the day. Carlos is in his first year of middle school and has found it very challenging. He doesn’t understand

Wendy lives in a small rural community with her mother and two siblings. Her mother, Rosa, is a single mom who washes clothing or cleans produce when the work is available. She doesn’t have a full-time job. Wendy and her brother work with their mother when they can to help cover the family’s expenses. Rosa

Oscar lives in a small rural community with his parents and three younger siblings. The family of six lives in a home made from cement block and has a dirt floor. Oscar’s father never attended school and is illiterate, and his mother completed middle school. Oscar completed his first two years of middle school, but

Fekiru lives in Ethiopia with his mother and two younger sisters. They live in an old hut-style home made of grass and branches, which is in a state of disrepair. The recent death of his father has put this family into crisis. Fekiru’s mother has tried to sustain the family by growing crops to eat

Dejene is 12 years old. He lives with his mom and his older sister in Ethiopia. After the recent loss of his father, his mother has struggled to earn enough money to provide the basics like food, clothing and schooling for her children. Dejene loves school and his mother describes him as happy and helpful.

Natnael is 11 years old and lives with his single mother and older sister in Ethiopia. They live in a very small one-room home with only enough room for one single bed that they share. Natnael likes to read and enjoys school, although he often has to attend on an empty stomach and without the

At school, Biruk ranks first in his class of 40 students, despite not having basic school supplies. His mother and teachers describe him as a very bright, hard-working boy who is kind to everyone. At home, Biruk, his mother and two older siblings barely have enough food or suitable shelter. His family of four live

Abush lives in southern Ethiopia with his mother and younger sister in a single small, rented room. They are at risk of being evicted as Abush’s mother has been unable to pay the rent for some time. Abush’s father recently passed away and the work his mom is able to find as a cleaner is