Ana
Ana is from a town in northern Moldova. Her parents disappeared when she was young, and she was raised in a children’s home. When Ana reached ninth grade—a dangerous transition point for girls in Moldovan institutions—she found safety in a caring group home. Since then, Ana has worked with determination and purpose. She studied foreign languages at university, and is pursuing her dream of becoming a professional linguist.
Ana is intelligent and resilient. She is beautiful.
Larissa
In Moldova, young women are often steered toward trade schools, but these paths can limit their futures.
When Larissa graduated from sewing school, she discovered her credentials only matched the equivalent of 11th grade, leaving her with few opportunities for higher education or meaningful employment. Refusing to accept those limitations, she enrolled in night school to complete her high school diploma.
Today, Larissa is pursuing her dream of attending university.
Valentina
Valentina grew up in a small village in southern Moldova. As a child, she witnessed her mother being taken by traffickers in the night. She never saw her again.
Unable to care for Valentina on his own, her grieving grandfather placed her in an orphanage. Struggling with loss and despair, he turned to alcohol to cope.
Valentina spent most of her childhood in institutional care. When she reached ninth grade, she feared she had no future. But through the help of a group home, she found stability—and hope.
Valentina is now studying Education at university with the dream of one day opening her own preschool.