Summary

Harriet thinks her third daughter Phiona was born in 1996, but doesn't know her birthday. When Phiona is five, her mother sends her out to sell maize in the slum to help support the family. Harriet often does not have enough money to feed her children, let alone pay their school fees. Phiona grows into an aggressive child who often gets into fights with other neighborhood children.

Harriet contemplates suicide, but does not want to abandon her children. Instead, she becomes a born-again Christian and, when she narrowly escapes being hit by oncoming traffic, her faith in God is confirmed. Phiona suffers two near death experiences as a child around the ages of seven and eight. The fact that Phiona twice survives very serious illnesses also reaffirms Harriet's faith.

The family then falls into even worse circumstances and is forced to live...