Hello, my name is Nassiratou.  I live with my parents and my five brothers and sisters in a small home that does not have any running water or electricity.  The closest well is about half a kilometer away.  We are a Muslim family.  Neither one of my parents has a regular job, but we work together during the rains to grow enough food that we will be able to eat throughout the whole year.

Each morning, I walk about half a kilometer to get to school.  Then I do it again to get home in the afternoon.  A family member will walk with me.  When I get home, I like to play marbles or jump rope with my friends.  When I am all grown up, I want to become a teacher.