Kolo Merane

Country: South Africa

My birthday is 2010-07-04

Status: Vulnerable Child

My favorite subject is English and math.

I enjoy running.

I want to be a nurse.

Kolo Merane is 14 years old and from a township called Sophumelela in Keiskammahoek in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. At home, she lives with her grandmother, her cousin, and her sister. Both her parents live far from home because of work. Kolo’s dad is married, but not to her mother. Kolo does not see him very often. Her favorite subjects are English and mathematics. She is a cross-country runner and recently got first place in a race. It made her feel so happy to achieve something so big. When Kolo grows up, she wants to be a nurse so that she can help people. Kolo lives at Intlantsi Christian School in Fort White during the school week.  On the weekends, she goes back to her village, Sophumelela, where she lives with her grandmother.  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 Kolo do not finish high school.