ASEM

Lúcia was born in the city of Beira, Sofala province, on April 14, 2006, where she lived with her parents. She is a brave girl who likes to study, and to play with her friends “jumping rope” and “neca”. In her free time, she reviews school subjects and helps her mother with the house duties. Lúcia has 2 sisters and 2 brothers, they are all studying in primary education. Lúcia’s father died on October 29, 2010, due to illness. He used to be a police officer. Lúcia, lives with her mother in their house that consists of 2 bedrooms, 1 living room, and has an outside bathroom made of bags and no piped drinking water, which they buy at the neighbor's house. Her mother works in rice fields in the Inhamizua area. When there is no work in the fields, she buys dried fish, butter beans and tomatoes, and sells it at the local market. What she earns is not enough to sustain their day - to - day life. Lúcia’s 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.

Manuela was born in Beira and is an orphan of her father since 2013. She has 2 sisters and 1 brother. Manuela, is a calm, well-behaved and healthy girl. Her preferred subject is Portuguese & Natural Sciences. For the family's sustainability, the mother cultivates rice fields, and her older brother does mechanic jobs to help to by some food. Their earnings are not enough to pay for education and sometimes to buy food either. During Cyclone Eloise in January 2021, their house was destroyed. They managed to recollect some material here and there to reconstruct one room where all of the family is living in.

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.

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.

Antonia was born in the city of Beira in 2008, residing in the Macurungo area. She is an orphan of her father, victim of illness, since 2019, and has one sister. Antonia, is well-behaved and healthy. Her preferred discipline is Portuguese. For the family's sustainability, her mother buys bananas in the Goto market and resells them elsewhere. Her income is not enough to support the family with food for one month, even less to pay education for the children. Their house is having 2 bedrooms and 1 living room, has piped drinking water, low-cost energy, and a bathroom outside, made of coconut palm leaves, bags and straw.

Leandro was born in the city of Beira, Sofala province, on the March 15, 2007, where he lived with his parents. He is a playful boy and smart in terms of studies. He likes to play football. During his free time, he reviews school subjects and helps his grandmother with the house duties. Leandro’s father died in 2012, victim of illness, while working as a driver of heavy machinery and his mother died on August 23, 2018, due to illness. The boy has 1 brother. His grandmother sells cakes in front of the house. His aunt who does little jobs has helped with the little she receives but all that is not enough for the family to have regular daily meals. Leandro lives with his grandmother in their house that consists of 2 bedrooms, 1 living room, and has an outside bathroom but no piped drinking water. He loves Biology and 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.