Aqhama Tom

Country: South Africa

My birthday is 2011-11-02

Status: Vulnerable Child

My favorite subject is IsiXhosa.

I enjoy playing soccer.

I want to be a lawyer.

Aqhama Tom is 12 years old and lives in Sophumelele Township. Her name means “we are growing.” Sophumelele is not her home, but because her home is far from school, her mother has her stay there with another family. She goes home to her mother, aunt, uncle, and great-grandmother during the holiday. Aqhama’s favorite subject is IsiXhosa, which is her mother tongue. Her favorite sport is soccer. When she grows up, she would like to be a lawyer because she wants to serve her community. Aqhama lives at Intlantsi Christian School in Fort White during the school week.  On the weekends, she goes back to her village, Sophumelele, where she lives with her friends.  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 Aqhama do not finish high school.