Ioana's father Toni was left an orphan at the age of 18 to care for his younger siblings. Toni's mother and father died of cancer only ten months apart. From a desire to help terminally ill patients, Toni went to medical school and now works for a foundation doing in home medical care for patients that are refused care by the state.

Toni feels lucky to have a job but he doesn't make much. It is difficult for him to provide for his daughter Ioana and his 3 other children.

Ioana and her family live in a two room home made from mud and straw. The floor is made of dirt and gets muddy. The old wood stove stopped working and the family is worried what they will do when the freezing temperatures of winter come. Mice and rats have dug through the mud walls and infest the house.

Ioana has grown up in the country side and isn't afraid to play around in the dirt. She likes playing with the baby ducks and chicks her parents raise.