Girl Power: A Mozambican Good News Story

Help the Zalala Foundation make young girls' dreams a reality. Vânia, Liliana, Antônia, Esquitora, Noémia, Zaurina, and Latia need your support to finish their education and start building skills for their careers. Over the last 5 years, the Zalala Foundation has been providing safe spaces for girls to learn about their rights and develop their full educational and leadership potential.

The girls have just completed their second year in one of the top secondary schools in Quelimane town. To get there, they have all overcome huge hurdles.

Esquitora: I was raised by my grandparents. They made many sacrifices to support my schooling. I was lucky. My younger twin brothers had to work and never went to school.

Zaurina: I was born in Supinho. By the age of 7, both my parents died and I became an orphan. My grandmother, a widow, supported my schooling, but at the age of 10, I had to drop out of school in order to help her in the farm. Fortunately, with the support of the Zalala Foundation, I was able to return to school and finish my primary education.

Empowerment:

In 2020, the Fundacao Zalala set up Girls’ Clubs in the schools of Idugo and Supinho creating spaces for girls and boys to talk about their lives and learn about their rights. Over a 3-year period, they acquired confidence and knowledge and became active advocates of the rights of girls and children in their communities and beyond.

Liliana: “In the clubs, I learnt about the law prohibiting early marriage and the dangers of teenage pregnancy. Together with my peers, we wrote and performed plays to get the message across to other girls. Our plays were always very well attended and had a strong impact.

Antônia: “ I used to be very passive…I knew nothing about my rights and I never spoke in public. Now, I can confidently defend my rights and the rights of all girls in public. I even speak on live radio.”

This year, as last year, the girls attended events to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Girls and Women – an internationally recognised event in the feminist calender.

At this event, each of the girls spoke about the different forms of violence and concluded with a strong message addressed to all victims.

The Girls' Dreams for the Future:

Transform a Girls Future

With your support, Vânia, Liliana, Antônia, Esquitora, Noémia, Zaurina, and Latia can break through barriers and achieve the dreams they once thought were out of reach

£25 = will cover the cost of basic personal needs each month

£40 = will cover the cost of board and lodging for one month

£50 = will cover the cost of one month’s nursing training

£60 = will cover the cost of one month’s teacher training.

Any contribution you are able to make, will help us to help these girls to continue their studies and fulfill their dreams. Click below to make one-off donation or, better still, a monthly subscription via our website.