Sang Ly is a 29-year-old mother living in a tin and cardboard hovel at the edge of the Stung Meanchey landfill. She works as a picker, scavenging discarded items to sell or reuse to support her family. Deeply devoted to her sickly infant son, she possesses a natural curiosity and a strong determination to improve their circumstances. She decides to learn how to read to bring hope and a better future to her household.

Known to the dump residents as the Rent Collector or "The Cow," she is a fearsome and often intoxicated woman who collects payments from the scavengers of Stung Meanchey. She holds strict power over the tenants, threatening eviction if they fail to pay on time. Despite her harsh exterior, she reveals an unexpected background in literature and begrudgingly agrees to teach Sang Ly how to read.

Ki Lim is Sang Ly's husband, laboring alongside her as a picker at the dump. He favors trailing the dangerous garbage trucks to find the best scrap, risking serious injury to provide for his wife and son. He loves his family fiercely and reacts to the increasing violence from local gangs by attempting to organize the other pickers for self-defense.

Lucky Fat is a cheerful adolescent orphan who lives and works on the outskirts of Stung Meanchey. Known for his uncanny ability to find loose money in the trash, he maintains a positive demeanor despite his harsh environment. He collects Buddha figurines and actively looks out for vulnerable members of the community.

Lena is Sang Ly's mother, who followed her daughter to the dump to remain close to her family. Unlike Sang Ly, Lena actively enjoys living at Stung Meanchey, viewing the picking work as an adventure. She takes pride in building elaborate temporary day shelters and provides a stabilizing presence for her relatives.

Bunna Heng is a traditional healer located in Sang Ly's home province of Prey Veng. He appears repeatedly in Sang Ly's dreams, prompting her to consider seeking his help for her son's chronic illness. He relies on traditional Cambodian folk remedies and ancient healing methods.

Nisay is Sang Ly and Ki Lim's 16-month-old son. He suffers from a chronic, unnamed illness that causes fevers and digestive issues, stunting his physical growth. His ongoing health struggles deeply worry his parents and serve as the primary catalyst for Sang Ly's desire to improve their lives.

A young Cambodian woman who worked as a housekeeper prior to the Khmer Rouge revolution. Her history is quietly intertwined with the older woman who currently collects rent at Stung Meanchey, and her legacy continues to affect the families living in the dump.

Maly is an 11- or 12-year-old girl living at the dump. She is under the care of her older brother, who has joined one of the violent local gangs. Her transition into young womanhood places her in immediate danger, as her brother plans to sell her to a brothel in the city for profit.

Narin is Sang Ly's cousin. She provides Sang Ly with a childhood poem that serves as her very first piece of literature to analyze. She occasionally visits the family to share local news and gossip.

Uncle Keo is Sang Ly's uncle who lives in her home province of Prey Veng. He works for the government in a seemingly vague but profitable position, allowing him to own a modern phone and a new house. He provides lodging and hospitality for his relatives when they visit.

Sang Ly's grandfather is a deceased ancestor who frequently appears in her dreams. He provides spiritual guidance and comfort, telling her that her hardships will not last forever and encouraging her to maintain hope.