Hiqlimay is just a young girl, but at 13, she is already mother to a two-month old baby, safely delivered by Hamlin midwife Tizita in the Hamlin centre at Dogu. Although married young in the traditional manner, she and her husband are a modern young couple with big plans. In three months time, he will be leaving Hiqlimay for two years to study nursing at university. Wanting to be cautious, they agreed that she should come back to Dogu to see the midwife about contraception. They don’t want her to fall pregnant before he leaves, especially since she will be returning to school for the 7th grade while her mother cares for her baby.

Young Hamlin midwife Tisita, at 23, already exhibits the hard work ethic and heroic attitude inspired by her own heroine, Dr Catherine Hamlin.

Toyiba’s childhood was a traditional one. She did not attend school, instead spending her days looking after her family’s cattle and sheep, collecting water from a distant water hole and collecting firewood. When she was not attending to these many chores, she was helping her mother at home.