When I was 9 years old, my parents died of AIDS. I became homeless and had to live on the streets. I stayed on the streets for a year, moving from place to place with other street children.

Because of the lack of food, some of the children I knew on the streets died. One day Alex saw me on the streets and gave me some food. The next day I went back to Alex, hungry again, and so he decided to take me to live at the orphanage.

I am proud of myself for surviving and believe my life is one of triumph. I am a loving caretaker to the other children, and I no longer have to wonder when my next meal is. I have learned how to cook, and I dream of becoming a hairdresser someday.