Most of the 9th grade students in my village have dropped out of school.  Last week there was still a girl walking with me to school and she quit too.  In the house, none of my parents or relatives are around to provide the warmth of a family. In countless nights, I have cried. My parents are migrant workers.  They want me to stay with the relatives and I refuse.  I feel unwelcome and unwanted at relatives’ house.

Since 2nd grade, I have been alone with my grandma.  Grandma loves to roam around the neighborhood.  Every night, I have to fetch her.  As a girl, many people do not like me and look down upon me.  I want to prove them wrong.  I want to study hard and prove that a girl can excel as well.