Maria resides with her parents who engage in subsistence agriculture, focusing on growing crops and keeping animals on a small scale. Subsistence agriculture is a method where the produce is primarily used to sustain the family, with little surplus for sale or trade. Unfortunately, the income generated from this agricultural practice is insufficient to meet the family's needs.

Maria and her siblings attend a nearby privately owned school. However, their school attendance is irregular, with significant portions of the academic term spent waiting for their parents to gather enough resources to afford their school fees. This financial constraint puts their education at risk.

Maria, despite facing these challenges, shows promise academically. With the necessary assistance, she could overcome the hurdles, continue her education consistently, and work towards realizing her dream of becoming a teacher.