Akhanya Mdoda

Country: South Africa

My birthday is 2011-05-08

Status: Vulnerable Child

My favorite subject is math.

I enjoy playing rugby.

I want to be a surgeon.

Akhanya Mdoda is 13 years old and from a village called Zihlahleni in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Her name means “light”. At home, she lives with her grandmother and grandfather. Her mother works far from home, so she only gets to see her during school holidays. She doesn't know who her father is. When Akhanya grows up, she would like to be a surgeon. She wants to be able to take care of people and cure them. Akhanya’s favorite subjects are mathematics and science, and her favorite sport is rugby. Akhanya lives at Intlantsi Christian School in Fort White during the school week.  On the weekends, she goes back to her village, Zihlahleni, where she lives with her grandparents.  While Fort White has the most modern amenities available in the area, the surrounding villages are quite different.  In the villages, people collect water from a communal tap and use outhouses.  Though they have access to electricity, most villagers cannot afford to pay for an electric meter. Most of our children have grown up attending no-fee schools, where they are provided what may be their only meal for the day.  Most girls like Akhanya do not finish high school.