Grandma Maria
Two-year-old Ellen lives with her grandmother, Maria, in a remote village in Chimbu, Papua New Guinea. Her mother left shortly after giving birth and her father, Gaby, moved to the city to take up a carpentry job.
The rough, dirt road makes the journey home long and difficult for Gaby so he only returns for major family events.
Maria also cares for her 70-year-old mother, Bimbi, her daughter Clara*, 6, her deaf and mute brother Waike, 40, and his friend Bainam, who is also mute. She wakes up early each morning to cook, wash, and tidy the house for the whole family.