Xonguila magazine, always attentive to social issues and committed to publicising projects with an impact, puts the spotlight in this edition on the association Um Pequeno Gesto (UPG), an organisation that has been making a difference to the lives of thousands of children in Mozambique.
The association began its work with the main focus on child sponsorship, providing children with access to education and nutrition in a healthy and dignified environment. In a country where 70% of the population lives below the poverty line and 60% in extreme poverty, the role of this association is truly important. There are 1.2 million children out of school and 2 million orphans, showing that there is still a long way to go.
The initiative was born in 2004, when Sara Vicente Barreto volunteered in Mozambique.
The initiative was born in 2004, when Sara Vicente Barreto volunteered in Mozambique. In 2023, around 1,000 needy children, many of them orphans, benefit from the sponsorship programme, which guarantees them access to school, a basic food basket and the affection of a Portuguese-speaking sponsor. The individual sponsorship programme for vulnerable children is complemented by work on projects for poverty relief, infrastructure, education and sustainability, benefitting more than 2,314 children every year. One example is the pre-school project, which funds 3 pre-schools for 195 children, contributing to development and to combating malnutrition. In numbers, UPG has around 3,200 direct beneficiaries and around 16,400 indirect beneficiaries .
In 2022 the impact of support for children, families and the community was measured through a number of KPIs. For example, in the sponsorship programme, 56% are girls, with an average age of 13.8 years and an academic progression rate of around 80%. In the pre-school project, 62% are girls and there is an average weight gain of 1 kg. The difficulties faced by the organisation are countless, such as dropouts, early pregnancies and deaths from illness. However, every child who is helped makes up for all these obstacles. When a child approaches with confidence, learns to read and write in a suitable environment or dreams of having a better future, it becomes clear that UPG’s work has a significant impact on the lives of the children it deals with.
To carry this important project forward, a great deal of strength is needed, along with donors, whether small or large, who believe in and understand the cause. With the support of people willing to make a difference, the association can continue to transform lives and to fight poverty in Mozambique. The organisation invites everyone to make a small gesture that can make a big difference to the lives of these children. For example, with 410 meticais (€6) it is possible to feed a child for a month at the Sta. Luísa de Marillac school, and, with 1,400 meticais (€20), to guarantee access to pre-school education and food for a child aged between 3 and 5 for a month.
Associação Um Pequeno Gesto is an inspiring example of the power of a simple idea and of one person’s dedication to changing the lives of hundreds of children. Despite the challenges and obstacles, it has succeeded in providing education, nutrition and love to disadvantaged children in Mozambique. Now that we know about its tireless and inspiring work, it is up to us to support and publicise this noble cause, because together we can make a difference to the lives of many children.
1 The number of beneficiaries is calculated by multiplying by 5, the reference figure for household size
