Age 17

School: Light Academy & Vocational High School.

Gender Male

Grade Senior One ( Grade 8 )

Charles lives with his maternal grandmother in Kyabakuza, Masaka city. His grandmother is an elderly widow looking after four grandchildren Charles inclusive. She rears animals on small scale such as pigs, goats and some chicken; from which she gets money to cater for home needs and pay school fees whenever it’s possible.

Charles says he never experienced parental love from his mother and father. The father died while he was nine months and at two years, the mother left him with his grandmother and she went to look for ways of survival.

Currently the mother lives in Lwera, Kalungu district with four children whom she solely takes care of.

During his primary school education, Charles found favor before the school headteacher who used to pay half of his school fees and then the grandmother pays the balance and other requirements.

While in holidays, Charles digs in people’s gardens and he uses such money to buy his personal necessities like soap, sugar, tooth paste, shoe polish, books and pens among others and also school requirements.

Though there a number of challenges, Charles remains focused to studies and says he wants to become a lawyer so that he will be an advocate for the oppressed and challenged people.