This is the second book charting the lives and the aspirations of 24 of these children from the Young Lives study. The first was called: “Nothing is impossible for me”: Stories from Young Lives Children. The same children now give us a unique insight into how their lives are changing as they are growing up. They reveal what they think it means to be poor or rich, how they see their families, friends and communities, the importance of education, what is different between their generation and previous one, and their dreams for the future. Their stories are accompanied by themed boxes that give more detail on the context in which the children are living.

The profiles show the children to be hard-working, resilient and adaptable. Much of what they say is very relevant to those making policy on poverty and development. We will continue to follow them as they go through school, grow into adults and face the challenges of marriage, parenthood, and earning a living in a constantly changing world.