Martina is the oldest of 8 children in an extremely poor family.  Her father is an alcoholic and cannot be depended on to provide for the family, leaving Martina's mother to carry the family on her own.  Additionally, Martina lives a great distance from her school.  Every day, she has to walk 8 km (about 5 miles) each way to school.  
 
With a sponsor, she will be able to board at the school and have all of her educational and basic life needs provided for her and will not have to make the long walk to and from school each day.