When Juliana's older sister fled a forced marriage to an elderly man, conflict within the family escalated. Juliana's education came to a halt.

Their mother was blamed for helping her sister escape. Their father, furious, expelled their mother from the village and remarried.

The step-mother's children continued their education, but Juliana and her siblings were not allowed to return to school. They spent her days gathering firewood and water, preparing meals, washing uniforms, and caring for younger children. Food was often scarce.

"Sometimes we ourselves did not eat," she shared. "Unless we fetched water that day, they wouldn’t give us anything to eat."

Juliana's story highlights that for girls living in extreme poverty, school fees are often only one of many barriers to education. Returning to school was only the first step. After years of family conflict, interrupted schooling, and being made to feel that her education—and her future—didn’t matter, Juliana also needed opportunities to heal, rebuild her confidence, develop practical skills, and discover what she was capable of becoming.

That’s why Mercy Beyond Borders provides more than scholarships. Through leadership development, life-skills training, counseling, tutoring, home visits, and other wrap-around support, Juliana and hundreds of her peers are learning and thriving.

Today, Juliana is preparing for her final year of high school. Her dream? She sees herself as a teacher who will create greater educational opportunities for village girls in her community.