My hobbies are reading, going for picnics, and playing with my friends at home and in school. I also like participating in school activities, especially sports as I am very active. When I grow up I would like to become a journalist and go to many places to learn different things.

Angela was born in the city of Beira, Sofala province, on February 18, 2007, where she lived with her parents. She is an intelligent and respectful girl and likes to play with her friends “jumping rope”. In her free time, she reviews school subjects and helps her mother with the house duties. Angela’s father passed away on December 21, 2006 due to illness, when her mother was 7 months pregnant. She never knew her father. The girl lives with her mother in their house that consists of 2 bedrooms, 1 living room, has piped drinking water and a bathroom outside. Angela has 5 sisters and 1 brother. The oldest sister is married and all others are still studying. To sustain the family, her mother is selling fruits in front of the house and rent out one room. But even so, what she earns is not enough to sustain the day - by – day needs of the family. Her preferred subject at school is Portuguese and she wants to become a Teacher. During 2020, due to COVID 19, the students had to study at home, going weekly to the school to buy brochures and copies of tests. Most of the kids could not afford it.

Dionísio was born in the city of Beira, Sofala province, on August 15, 2006, where he lived with his parents. He is a calm and intelligent boy, and likes to play football and draw people’s faces. During his free time, he reviews school subjects and help with house duties. Dionísio’s father died on May 29, 2009, victim of a road accident in the Macurungo area. He used to be a mechanic. The boy does not have any siblings. His mother sells charcoal, vegetable and fruits in front of their house. His stepfather is an ambulant seller. Their earnings are not enough to support the family. Dionísio lives with his mother in a rental house consisting of 1 bedroom and 1 living room and has an outside bathroom with no piped drinking water. His preferred subject at school is Portuguese and he wants to become a Teacher. During 2020, due to COVID 19, the students had to study home, going weekly to the school to buy brochures and copies of tests. Most of the kids could not afford it.

I enjoy going for trips, swimming, and learning. When I grow up I want to be a doctor so I can treat many people in my community. My favorite subjects are languages, and science. This is because I enjoy doing the experiments and learning new vocabulary. I also enjoy STEM lessons because it deals with my favorite subjects in a fun way

Fina João was born in Beira in 2007. She lives in the Manga neighborhood with her grandmother, her twin sister and an older brother. Her father died in 2008 and her mother in 2013. Fina loves studying and her preferred subject is Portuguese. Her dream is to become a teacher, preferably at ASEM's JJT Manga Secondary School, to teach needy and vulnerable children and her family. She is a very nice and humble girl, always ready to listen. She never misses the madrassa and is always happy to help grandma who suffers from chronic back pain. Granny does little housework at the mosque, located 2 km away from home, which takes her about an hour to get there, where she earns about $15 (MZN 1000) per month, not enough to buy a bag of rice. The family's house is built with local material, has low-cost electricity and no piped drinking water that they have to buy @ 5 MZN / 20 liters.

Anjali is good at school and very active in the community. Anjali and her peer members in the community are working to take all the girls in their community to school. Someday she hopes to become a teacher.

I am a very smart and hardworking girl. My hobbies are dancing, reading, and swimming. When I grow up I would like to become a fashion designer and continue to design fashionable clothes. At school I enjoy the extra curricular activities such as the sports we play. I like learning new things in different subjects but my favorites are social studies and english. I also enjoy crafts.

Saide was born in the city of Beira, Sofala province, on August 28, 2005, where he lived with his parents. He is a well-behaved and intelligent boy and likes to play with his friends. During his free time, he reviews school subjects and helps his mother with the house duties. Saide’s father died on July 2, 2016, victim of illness, he used to be a bus driver. He has 3 brothers and 2 sisters. His mother has a small business, buying and selling crops to make a living for her and the family. There are days they spend without one meal. Saide’s preferred subject at school is Portuguese and he wants to become a Teacher. During 2020, due to COVID 19, the students had to study home, going weekly to the school to buy brochures and copies of tests. Most of the kids could not afford it.