My name is Sophia, I am ten years old and in Standard Four. My favorite subjects in school are mathematics and geography and I really enjoy studying. I was born in the Tengeru Region of Arusha, Tanzania. Both of my parents passed away when I was very young. My mother was killed in a car accident and my father was stabbed by a knife. I was very young when my parents died so I never had the opportunity to see them. The stories of my parents’ deaths were told to me by my grandmother, who was the only one that was there to take care of me.

The saddest moment in my life was the time my grandmother told me that my parents had passed away. I felt really bad at this time in my life because I was lacking basic needs like food, clothes and education. I had a feeling that my life would be so difficult because those who were supposed to help me were not there. Even through all of this, I still trusted that my life would improve and that I would receive a scholarship to attend school even before I reached Standard One.

I joined The Foundation for Tomorrow when I was in Standard One. TFFT has changed my life in very big ways. First they gave me education – I had the opportunity to learn just like other people and also I was able to receive a quality education at a good school like what I am at now. TFFT also gave me things which I needed for school like clothes, shoes, soap, etc.  The happiest moment in my life is when I received my scholarship from TFFT and I was able to go to school. I felt so good after getting the scholarship and I was very happy. I will use my education in a good way and I will work hard in class. Still my dream is to be a teacher, and I know I can do it.

**Sweet Sophia write this narrative in the summer of 2011. She is now in Class Five.

*** Thank you to Anne Rhett for the beautiful photographs of Sophia

****Leave your thoughts/encouragement/support/questions for Sophia in the comments, and we’ll pass them along to her.