Kathryn, 15, from Paisley, Scotland

My name is Kathryn, I’m 15 years old and I go to secondary school in Paisley. I have two sisters and one brother and I live with my parents.

My house is made of bricks, which is normal in Scotland. I don’t think that houses are made of anything else! We have seven rooms in our house but one of them has been separated into three rooms so we can all have our own space. We all have our own bedrooms.

I don’t know what I want to do when I leave school. I have some ideas, like a primary school teacher or a music teacher. I play the flute so I would love to be in a professional orchestra. My hobbies are to read, listen to music and play the flute. I don’t think I could live without my music! My favourite food is probably spaghetti bolognaise. It’s delicious!

Usually, to get to school I get up at around 7:45 and catch the bus at 8:30 to be in school for 9:00. I have many classes because I study about ten subjects. Every subject has a different teacher. In my normal classes there are approximately 25 to 30 pupils but in my practical classes there are normally only 20.

My favourite lesson is music. I love everything to do with it! I have recently finished composing a piece of music for my exam. I can play the flute, the penny whistle, the piano and the drums. My least favourite subject in school is chemistry! I don’t like it because it’s very difficult and there is a lot to learn for my exam. I’m also not a very big fan of the experiments because usually mine go wrong!

One of the best things in school is spending every day with your friends because you have fun while you learn! I love the feeling when you get something right and you understand it. It doesn’t happen often though!

At lunch I usually eat soup or a tuna pasta salad box. It tastes delicious! Sometimes I go to the ice-cream van and get sweets, that is if I have money left over.

I usually get home from school at 4pm, but because of after-school activities and supported study it is now 5pm.

I don’t like it that some other countries are poorer than others. I’m not sure why it happens though. It annoys me that I live in a house with heaters and a comfy bed whilst other children have to sleep on the ground. I think that other governments, and our own, could do a lot to help solve problems of poverty - they could send money and supplies or teachers and professionals to teach young people what they can do. It would help a lot, I think!

To make a difference to world poverty I could do a lot of things. I could raise money, send supplies and food. Send clean water and clothes. I could even go there myself and help in person!

I most admire the Pope as I am Christian. I think he is a very peaceful and wise man. He never judges anyone and loves you no matter who you are. I have seen him before while I was in Rome, but he was very far away!

If I could change one thing in the world it would be that you wouldn’t have to need money. Money is a huge problem in today’s world and I hate that some people have so much when others have so little. My family is not rich but we are not poor. I would also change the climate in Scotland as it is very cold!