Since the Zalala Foundation has been supporting girl’s education through the establishment of girls’ after-school clubs where they meet and learn together, there has been a marked increase in both attendance and attainment levels among young girls in the local communities. Girls have gained confidence in their own abilities and have acquired a new vision for their future. But there are no secondary education facilities in Idugo and Supinho. Only those whose parents have the means to pay for them to study elsewhere or have relatives who can provide accommodation have the chance to move into secondary education. Thus, the Zalala Foundation decided to start up a school sponsorship initiative starting with the most successful of the graduates of the Girls’ Empowerment programme. In 2021, eight girls – Vânia, Liliana, Antônia , Belinha, Esquitora, Noémia, Zaurina and Latia – were selected to start up secondary school studies at a very well reputed convent in Quelimane.

Learning Portuguse

The first challenge faced by the girls was to learn to speak Portuguese. Most of them usually converse in their native tongue and had limited dominion of the Portuguese language.  Language classes were provided for them one month before the start of the school year, thus providing them with sufficient command of the language. Within a matter of months, most of the girls now speak almost fluently. This language achievement will not only serve them at school, but will also open doors for future opportunities where command of Portuguese is essential.

Learning to be independent

In addition to the educational benefits of their school experience, the girls are also learning to live independently. In the school, they are responsible for doing their own laundry, keeping their room tidy and managing their homework tasks.

Supporting each other

One of the first initatives of the group was to set up a weekly meeting to share and discuss difficulties, challenges and anything else of interest amongst themselves. Early on, several of the girls shared their difficulties in keeping up with maths lessons. This led to an initiative to request extra maths tuition. At these weekly meetings, girls can also also share personal matters and these can be discussed in a supportive and confidential environment.

Ongoing involvement with advocacy initiatives

The girls continue to support the various initiatives, including speaking on live radio debates and participating in the monthly planning and monitoring meetings of the Advisory Forum of the Girl’s Independence Project in Idugo and Supinho.

In September 2024, the girls took part in the 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Girls and Women. During the event, each of the girls were interviewed about the causes and consequences of violence and the importance of denouncing perpretrators.  In this video, each of the girls spoke clearly and articulately about these issues.

Successful exam results

At the end of the first year, all the girls sat exams and they all passed and will move up a grade in February 2023.  Bearing in mind the enormous challenge each girl faced, moving away from their communities and family to live in the provincial capital, Quelimane, which none of them knew previously and adapting to the rigours and discipline of the school, this is a very significant achievement.

At a meeting arranged by the Zalala Foundation with the girls, their parents and community leaders, they were heartily congratulated and encouraged to continue working hard in the year ahead. Some of the girls cried with emotion as the teachers gave praise and encouragement to each of them in turn. Their mothers were then invited to stand and be photographed with their respective daughters.

Moving into Vocational Training and Education

All the girls at the school have passed their exams and each year their grades have improved. In the summer of 2025, four of the girls –  Latia,  Zaurina, Vânia and Antônia embarked on a Nursing Training course, which includes both theoretical and practical training. The girls have each been allocated a different medical setting for their practical work experience, but they remain at the boarding school in Quelimane where they can share their experiences and support each other. The nursing training is very demanding, but the girls are full of pride and gratitude for being given this opportunity and are wholly committed to moving into professional nursing careers.

All four girls passed their first year exams and have moved into their second year placements.

At the beginning of their second year, I spoke to each of the girls to hear first hand about their experiences to date.

Vânia

“I have always liked sciences and Im interested in understanding the human body..first theory, then practice. I enjoy feeling I can provide physical care, as well as moral support to patients I look after.

I feel guilty that my older siblings have not had the same opportunity as I have, but, this Christmas. I had the opportunity to give something in return. My mum got ill and I looked after her so she did not have to go to the hospital every day. In this way, she recovered quickly and also saved a lot of money on travel. ”

Latia

In Idugo, I was very active in the Girls’ Clubs. My dad was very supportive. When I did not got to school, he would not give me food. I loved school. There is no secondary school in Idugo, so after finishing seventh grade, I repeated the same class two years running because I liked being at school.

When I was young, I used to play being a nurse, like a game. So, when I started the nursing training last year, I was not afraid. I was determined and believed in my capacity.

My older sisters are working in the fields, but they are very proud and happy for me that I have been given this opportunity, even though they have not.  Many girls in Idugo are inspired by our example and more girls want to study and they too have dreams.

Zaurina

I am an orphan. My father deserted the family when I was 7 and my mother died when I was 14. I am one of 5 siblings. We were raised by our grandmother. I loved school and joined the Girls’ Clubs introduced by the Zalala Foundation. I used to be very shy, but I quickly gained confidence and surprised myself speaking on live radio about the rights of children and girls that we learnt about in the Clubs. When I left home to go to secondary school in Quelimane, I really missed the family in the first year, but then I got used to it and it felt like a new family.

When I was young and saw my mother get ill and die, I decided I wanted to be a nurse or doctor. Im now in the second year of nursing training. I really love it. It was difficult to start with, but it gets easier with time. My placement this year is in a small village health centre. There are not many nurses, so we are learning very rapidly. I have attended births, including caesarian deliveries. I am also learning about family planning, first aid and more. 

Your  support is needed

We are urgently seeking donations to enable us to continue supporting these girls through their education. We need to cover the cost of their school fees, which include – tuition, food, accommodation and pocket money. You can either commit to a monthly or annual contribution to their schooling or else a one-off donation. Any support provided will make a big difference. Donate here.