Three young women from Quelimane – Madalena Saudul, Lurdes Armando and Dalila José da Silva – are demonstrating, with practical results, how vocational training can be a powerful tool for independence and community development. Residents of the Sangariveira neighbourhood, the trio recently completed the mechanical metalwork course at the Quelimane Institute of Vocational Training and Labour Studies (IFPLAC), as part of the Viva+ project, promoted by the Foundation for Community Development (FDC).
The Jornal Txopela brought to light this story of overcoming adversity, resilience and youth entrepreneurship, in a faithful portrait of how technical education, when combined with concrete opportunities, can transform lives and communities.
Their journey began simply, with direct contact with the project’s activists, who went around the neighbourhood publicising the initiative. The young women enrolled, completed all the stages of the programme and secured a scholarship. On 5 July this year, they stepped onto the graduation stage, receiving from the FDC a complete mechanical metalwork kit – an immediate encouragement to put their new skills into practice.
The three entrepreneurs set up their own workshop in the neighbourhood and have since been making and selling a variety of products: block-making machines, baking trays, stoves, fire pokers and security grilles for windows. The response has been positive, allowing them to reinvest in materials and expand production.
“It was not a waste of time. On the contrary, it gave us more self-esteem and a real opportunity to work”, says Madalena. Lurdes adds: “We have already sold many pieces and the return has been positive. None of us expected anything like this.”
The project’s impact is beginning to reach beyond the immediate circle, serving as inspiration for other young women in the community. The three leave a clear message: “May more girls follow this example and invest in their training. Opportunities can transform lives.”
