When Gift left school, she believed her future had already been decided.

At just 15 years old, she had dropped out in Primary Four. School had always been difficult. She struggled to keep up in class, walked a long distance every day, fetched water before leaving home, and often arrived late. Instead of encouragement, she faced punishment and criticism.

Eventually, she stopped going altogether.

Her mother assumed she would stay home, work where she could, and one day marry. It seemed like the only path available.