My name is Alida. My father died in 2014. My mother’s name is Tené. As is customary in our culture, after my father’s death his brother took my mother as his wife. There are seven children in my family. I am the next to youngest child. My family cultivates for a living. We grow corn, peanuts and cotton. We depend on a good rainy season to ensure a plentiful harvest. Last year the rain came late and the harvest was poor. When this happens, we worry about having enough to eat until the next harvest. We live in a region of high-risk for many illnesses including malaria, typhoid and meningitis. Our lives are filled with challenges. Our house is made of mud bricks and has a thatched roof. We sleep on the floor on woven mats. We cook our meals outside over an open fire. Our staple food is Tô. It is made from corn flour and is similar to porridge. We eat Tô every day. Sometimes we may have rice and sauce. When I am not in school, I help my family in the fields, care for younger children, fetch water from the village well and do laundry. This year (2023 - 2024) I am in the eighth grade. I know it is a privilege to attend school. Many of my friends, especially girls, do not have the opportunity to receive an education.