Daudi John

Daudi is 13 years old and is in class 7 at Pasua Primary School. He lives with his mother and one of his three brothers. Daudi’s mother, who owns a vegetable stand, is his primary caregiver. She has never paid any school fees for Daudi and rarely provides Daudi with any school supplies. His mother’s business does not do well, but he does have a place to sleep and eats somewhat regularly. Daudi dreams of becoming a teacher one day.

Denis Jerimia

Denis is 10 years old and is in class 4 at Pasua Primary School. His father passed away many years ago and he does not remember much about him. Denis is currently living with his mother and his sister, but his mother is not working. He is supported by his aunt, who has purchased school uniforms for him in the past. Denis studies hard in school in hopes of becoming a teacher.

 

 

Merry Hussein

Najma Sharifu                                                                                                                  Nasma Sharifu

Najma and Nasma are 12 year old twin sisters in class 4 at Pasua Primary School. Both of their parents have passed away and the sisters live with their grandmother. Najma and Nasma have four older brothers, two of whom live in Arusha, and two who live in Moshi. The girls also has an older sister who sells clothes, but she does not help to support the twins. As similar as the girls are, they have their differences. When Najma grows up, she wants to be just like her older sister and sell clothes in the market, while Nasma aspires to become a teacher.

Pili Salum

Pili is 12 years old and is in class 7 at Pasua Primary School. Her father passed away when she was a young girl and her mother currently lives in Dar es Salaam, a major port city on Tanzania’s coast. Pili has an older sister who has a school sponsor. The sponsor promised to one day sponsor Pili to go to school as well, but has fallen through on that promise. Pili lives with her grandfather, who is unable to work, so she must rely on her mother to send money home fro Dar es Salaam. Despite her hardships, Pili is an excellent student and aspires to be an accountant.

 

Rehema Daudi

Rehema Salum

Rehema is 14 years old and is in class 6 at Pasua Primary School. Her father left the family about 2 years ago and moved to Dar es Salaam. The last time that Rehema saw her mother was when she was 5 years old. Her mother is now living in Arusha. Rehema currently lives with her grandparents and an aunt from her father’s side of the family. Her grandmother is a shop owner, and her aunt cooks for someone in town. She has been sporadically able to pay school fees, but has a hard time purchasing a uniform and school supplies. Rehema dreams of becoming a teacher.

 

Said Mohamed

Said is 11 years old and is in class 5 at Pasua Primary School. Both of Said’s parents passed away when he was very young. Said is currently living with his aunt who is able to provide for him by working in the market. He has three siblings, but he is not sure where they are living or who they are currently living with. When asked what he wanted to be when he gets older, Said simply said “employed”.

 

 

Salimu Hashim

Sophia Salum

Sophia is 11 years old and is in class 6 at Pasua Primary School. She lives with her mother and two older siblings in a single rented room. Sophia’s father died when she was young, and she does not remember him. Her mother sells onions at the market, but barely makes enough money to provide food and shelter for Sophia and her siblings. Sophia is very shy when you first meet her, but soon opens up into the sweet, playful girl we have come to know. When she grows up, she wants to be a teacher.

 

Vaileth Deo Makoi

Vaileth is 13 years old and is in class 7 at Pasua Primary School. In 2010, Vaileth’s parents left her, and she has not seen them since. She is currently living with her grandmother and grandfather and 8 cousins. Vaileth’s grandparents, her primary caregivers, work as much as they can in order to provide for their grandchildren, but they often don’t have enough money to pay for rent in the house where they stay. Occasionally her aunt will contribute money for school fees or uniforms, but she is an unreliable source of support. Vaileth aspires to become a doctor when she grows up.

Zainabu Omary

Zainabu is 11 years old and is in class 6 at Pasua Primary School. When she was very young, Zainabu’s father passed away. Recently, she had to move in with her aunt, uncle, and 4 cousins because her mother left to find work in Dar es Salaam. Zainabu has two sisters who also live in Moshi, but they are staying with other family members. Her primary caregivers are now her aunt and uncle who provide her with a school uniform, but refuse to pay school fees for her because she is not their responsibility. When she grows up, Zainabu dreams of becoming a business woman and working in an office.