Silas is the second-born in a family of five children. Both of his parents are alive and
live together on a small plot of land inherited by his father. The family survives
through peasant farming, but the household faces significant challenges due to the
father’s alcoholism. His addiction has led to neglect of family responsibilities, frequent
conflicts with Silas’s mother, and diversion of scarce resources toward alcohol rather
than the children’s needs.

Silas’s mother carries the primary burden of ensuring the children have food and
access to education. Her determination to see her children succeed is evident in her
efforts to supplement the family’s income by working in neighbors’ gardens to earn
food and small amounts of money. Despite her resilience, the income she raises is
insufficient to cover the educational needs of all five children. The financial strain
often results in children being sent home from school due to unpaid fees.