Elizabeth Nandela

My birthday: May 23, 2011
Gender: Female
Grade: 5

Elizabeth, born on May 23, 2011, is a fifth-grader living with her mother in the Naguru slums of Kampala. Her life changed dramatically when her father abandoned the family following her mother’s struggle with mental illness, leaving her to care for five children alone. Fortunately, her mother’s condition has somewhat improved with medication, and she occasionally earns a small income by braiding hair for local women at home. However, her earnings are limited as many people are hesitant to trust her due to her psychological health challenges.