Steria

Steria’s cheerful smile hides the challenges she has faced. She is one of five children, born to parents who are farmers. Though the family works hard, it is difficult to make ends meet, and Steria thought she would have to drop out of school.

On a typical day Steria sets off to school at 6am, walking for an hour to get to her first lesson at 7am. She gets home after 3pm and helps with household chores, like fetching water. If she has time afterwards she does her homework, before sharing an evening meal with her family. Often because of the long distances she walks, she feels too tired to concentrate on her studies.

Now that Steria is receiving support from CAMFED, her burden has lessened and she has peace of mind about her school fees and supplies. She makes the most of her time at school, studying and reading between her lessons. She is keen to ask questions and fill any gaps in her knowledge.

I’m very hopeful that I’ll finish the journey I have started. Without support I feel I would not manage the road I have taken.

Steria raises her hand to answer a question in class (Photo: Eliza Powell/CAMFED)

She can focus on her studies without anxiety about school fees and supplies (Photo: Eliza Powell/CAMFED)

Steria enjoys science subjects and is working hard to get good grades. She knows that to fulfil her dream of becoming a nurse, she needs to do well in the sciences. For Steria becoming a nurse would allow her to assist others and to support her family.

She is determined not to let anything disrupt her education. Sometimes boys harass her or propose to her, but Steria gets strength from confiding in her Teacher Mentor.

Steria laughs at the suggestion that she is a role model for her younger siblings, but she is on track to completing her education and achieving her goals.