Following on from the huge success of the group of girls who embarked on their secondary school studies in Quelimane, the Zalala Foundation decided to extend this opportunity to an additional ten of the most promising young children in Idugo (5) and Supinho (5).

In light of the very high demand for such an opportunity, strict criteria were applied in the selection process, which included: the personal circumstances of each child; their school performance to date; their demonstrated dedication to learning; and their expressed desire to continue with their studies. In close consultation with community leaders, parents and students, the Fundação staff selected the following 10 children:

Otilia Acacio

Born in Idugo on 3rd March 2004. She was a member of the Childrens Parliament. Her parents forced her to withdraw and enter into a forced marriage. She suffered physical, sexual and psychological violence and many abuses. In her own words, she was treated as a sexual object.  She was violently beaten, but managed to escape leaving everything behind. She came back to the Girls Clubs, filled with rage and anger about the abuse she had experienced. She was older than the other girls,  too old to go back to school and make up for lost time. In the Clubs, she has shared her story with other boys and girls in order for them to learn from her experience. Her outstanding courage and determination to continue her studies and to fight for the rights of girls in her community earned her the privilege of being selected to move into secondary education in Gurué.

Flávio Godinho

He was born on the 5th August 2007 on Idugo island. He is an orphan and was raised by his grandparents who struggled to provide for the family. Flávio often went hungry and his grandparents were not able to provide school materials or pay the school fees, but because of his dedication and intelligence, he was allowed to continue his school education and he not only made great progress, but also supported his younger peers at school. Flávio joined the Childrens Parliament and played a leading role. His zeal and enthusiasm earned him his place in the boarding school at Gurué.

Elidio Ivo Izequiel

Born in Idugo on the 10th November 2009. He always studied hard at school despite having to go fishing to help the household income. He always attended the school clubs regularly and he helped other children with their reading and studies, always eager to learn more and to help others. Because of his determination and aptitude in his school studies, he was one of the lucky ones to be selected to continue his school studies in Gurue.

Ivane Albano João

Born in Supinho, his mother died in childbirth. He and his twin brother were abandoned by their father and taken in by their aunt. For two years, he did not attend school because his aunt could not afford to support them. They slept on a borrowed mattress and ate whatever scraps they could find , a handful of rice, a tiny fish. Ivan became a member of the Childrens Parliament where he became an advocate of the rights of the child. He also loved to read and spent hours in the reading corner and helped to teach other kids how to read and write, whilst dreaming of being able to continue his education. On these grounds, he was selected to continue his studies at the school in Gurué.

Demetrio Candido Santana

Born in Idugo on the 27th January 2012, son of a salt producer. From a young child, he learnt about artisanal fishing and would catch prawns and crabs with his bare hands in the shallow waters. He attended the School Clubs regularly and stood out as a good example of positive masculinity , supporting the struggle of girls for their rights and social equality.

Fauzia Nelito

Fauzia was born in Idugo on the 25th March 2011. Her mother died when she was a toddler and she lives with her father, a fisherman, and her step-mother. Her parents are both very poor and struggle to support her. Despite her young age, she stood out in the Girls Clubs and showed strong commitment to learning. Her dream is to train as a nurse.

Mariamo Abdala

She was born in Supinho on the 5th July 2011. Her father has a physical disability and is unable to do paid work. The household is supported by her mother who does farming and fishing to support the family and buy school books. Mariamo was very dedicated to the Reading Clubs and helped other children to learn to read and write. She applied herself to her school studies and got top grades, in this way earning her selection for the opportunity to continue into secondary education.

Ahamada Safi Zacarias

He was born in Supinho on the 21st November 2011. His father died when he was very young and his mother struggled to raise three sons alone. Ahamada was very studious and loved to read. In the school clubs, he always helped others who struggled with the classes. After she was widowed, his mother was not able to support him. Given his  dedication to learning and his proven capacity, he was one of the 8 children selected by the Zalala Foundation to pursue his studies and move into secondary education.

Beatriz Felisberto Saide

Beatriz was borh in Supinho on the 29th January 2012. Her father died when she was very young and her mother supported the family, selling coconuts and dried fish in exchange for flour. Their living conditions were very basic , sleeping on the hard floor and her mum had to resort to sex work to support the family. Her mother tried to stop her attending so she could support the family income. But, Beatriz was a very keen student and quickly learned to read and write and contributed greatly to the school clubs and the reading corners. Based on her proven capacity and her strong enthusiasm, she was selected for the opportunity to enter secondary education in Gurué.

Sadina Talbe António Arisse

Sadina was born on the 4th February 2011 in Idugo. The daughter of a fisherman, she grew watching her mother plough the land and her father out fishing. Sadina was a very bright student and she regularly attended the Girls Clubs and the reading corners. She loved to read and recite poetry. Her love of learning and exceptional aptitude singled her out as a prime candidate to continue her school studies in  Gurué.