Shirley was born in 2010 and her father abandoned the family when she was still a toddler and has not been heard from since, Her mother sells tomatoes in the street market, but frequently they go without basic food when sales are not good. The school currently supplies Shirley with her uniform.

Iris was born in 2010 and lives with her mother. Her father left before Iris was born and has not been heard from since. Her mother works as casual labour on farms picking tea, ploughing, weeding and any other work she can find to provide for the two of them. The school currently provides Iris's uniform.