At 4 a.m., while most of her village is still asleep, 16-year-old Brenda begins her journey to school. She walks 15 kilometres each way.
For Brenda, however, the long journey is worth it. She dreams of becoming a nurse, and despite the challenges she has faced, she refuses to give up on that dream.
Brenda lives in the small village of Nsaika with her parents and five older brothers. As the youngest child in her family, she has always loved learning and is determined to make the most of her education.
She is on track to become the first person in her family to complete Grade 12.
For a girl growing up in poverty, reaching this milestone can be life-changing. Education can open doors to employment, increase independence and give girls greater power to make decisions about their own futures.
But for many girls around the world, getting an education is far from guaranteed. Poverty, discrimination, child marriage, gender-based violence, household responsibilities and a lack of safe access to school can all stand between a girl and her ambitions.
Brenda has experienced some of these challenges herself.
One afternoon, while walking home from school, Brenda was assaulted by a male stranger. The experience left her physically and emotionally devastated. Months later, she discovered she was pregnant.
At just 16, Brenda became a mother. She chose to keep her baby and gave birth to her son, Joseph. But her challenges did not end there. Two months after his birth, Joseph was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and requires constant care.
Brenda was now trying to navigate life as a young mother while continuing her education.
She also faced teasing from her peers. For many girls who experience violence, the consequences can continue long after the immediate danger has passed. Trauma, stigma, interrupted education and the responsibility of caring for children can make it incredibly difficult to rebuild their lives.
Yet Brenda kept going. Every morning, she continued to make the 15-kilometre journey to school.
Brenda's days are demanding. She studies. She cares for Joseph. She makes the long walk to and from school and she continues to face the emotional impact of what happened to her.
But when asked about her future, Brenda still has a dream: She wants to become a nurse.
Brenda is supported through World Vision's Chongwe South Area Programme (AP), which opened in 2010. The programme supports around 3,400 registered children and works with families and communities across education, health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, and child protection.
A key part of this work is preventing and responding to gender-based violence. For survivors like Brenda, this has meant access to counselling, protection and other forms of support as they begin to recover from their experiences.
Brenda's story reminds us why investing in girls matters. When girls are protected, supported and given the chance to learn, they can begin to shape futures that might once have seemed impossible.
Girls should have the chance to dream about who they want to become and the support to get there.
You can help give a girl that chance.
Sponsor a girl today and help her build a brighter future.