“I grew up with my mother and older sister. I loved learning, especially math, and dreamed of studying banking and finance. When I was 17, I got pregnant. I didn’t know much about pregnancy and was too scared to talk to anyone. I missed a lot of school due to medical appointments and left because I felt too overwhelmed. A scholarship would mean everything to me. I was heartbroken as everything I worked for slipped away. People’s negative reactions affected my self-esteem and I questioned my worth. But with the birth of my daughter, I desperately wanted to return to school. As a single mom, I want my daughter to have a better future.”

Elizabeth, 20, Nicaragua