Struggle To Survive: The Lives of Four Girls Over Ten Years | Real Stories

The script begins with the story of Dukushiri, a woman in Assam, Northern India, who faces a difficult childbirth. The health center closes due to security reasons, forcing her to walk home after giving birth. Despite the region's ongoing conflict and government neglect, Dukushiri names her newborn daughter A Laishrie. The filmmakers plan to document A Laishrie's life in a displaced family over the first few years. However, tragedy strikes when A Laishrie dies of malaria before reaching a distant health center, highlighting the global issue of preventable child deaths.

The script recounts a documentary project that followed the lives of four girls born into extreme poverty across four continents. The Indian girl, Alai Shri, sadly passed away. The filmmakers return ten years later to see if the girls have achieved better lives. They also meet Esther in Monrovia, Liberia, who is about to give birth amidst a 14-year war that has devastated the country. Esther's daughter, Secret, is born into a society plagued by violence and unemployment, with the government unable to manage the situation.

Ten years later, Liberia has undergone significant changes with new infrastructure and businesses. However, the scars of war remain, and the filmmakers find that Secret's family has not benefited from the economic progress. Secret, now the eldest of five siblings, has had to leave school due to the high cost of education, and the family continues to struggle with poverty. Esther, Secret's mother, has had six children from different fathers, all of whom have abandoned her except for the last.

Esther and Secret live with Esther's latest partner, but Secret chooses to stay with her grandmother for stability. Despite being a good student, Secret is unable to attend school due to the high cost of private education, which her family cannot afford. The lack of public education in her area has forced her out of school, limiting her chances to break the cycle of poverty. Meanwhile, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's promise of education for all remains unfulfilled for many Liberian children.

The story shifts to Noelia's family in Bolivia, one of the poorest countries in South America. Noelia's parents, Hilaria and Cyprian, are Quechuan farmers who live in extreme poverty. Despite the challenges, Noelia's family manages to improve their situation over the years, with Cyprian quitting alcohol and the family moving to fertile land. The government's support for education has allowed Noelia and her siblings to attend school, improving their prospects for the future.

The script discusses the economic shifts in Liberia and Bolivia. In Liberia, the economy is heavily influenced by global markets and foreign investments, which have not yet improved Secret's life. In Bolivia, the government's policies have helped families like Noelia's to prosper, but the potential exploitation of natural resources could threaten their progress.

Liberia's economy is now dependent on global markets, and the once-welcome Chinese investments are now viewed with skepticism due to the economic downturn. The script highlights the plight of Liberians like Secret, whose life has not improved despite the country's international investments.

Noelia's family has made significant progress, with the children being the first generation to attend school and the family living in better conditions. However, the potential exploitation of gas and petrol on their land poses a new threat to their stability and the country's progress.

The script contrasts the welfare state of Sweden with the situations in Bolivia and Liberia. It tells the story of Micheline, a Congolese refugee in Sweden who has received a deportation order but manages to secure citizenship for her daughter, Daniela, and asylum for herself. However, Sweden's attitude towards refugees has changed, with new restrictive laws being implemented that could affect thousands of people.

The final paragraph reflects on the global gap between rich and disadvantaged populations, highlighting the story of Daniela in Sweden and the tragic death of Al-Aitri in India from malaria. It emphasizes the stark inequality in child mortality rates and the need for states to provide support and education to bridge the gap.