All the girls at the secondary school in Quelimane 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 didn’t 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.

I am an orphan. My father abandoned me and my 4 brothers and sisters when I was 7 and my mother died soon after, so I was raised by my grandmother. I had to help her in the field, so I lost 4 years of schooling. I started back at school when the Fundação came and I joined the school clubs. I was very active in the Clubs, so I was selected to go to Secondary School in Quelimane. My siblings are very happy for me. I studied very hard and did well. When my mother died, I decided I wanted to go into healthcare, so after completing my secondary education, I opted to train as a healthcare worker and now I am in my second year of training to be a nurse. I have been placed in small health centre on the outskirts and I get to learn a lot as there are very few of us. I have attended deliveries, including caesarian births. It was very challenging, but I really love it.