Bringing hope to rural youth in Niassa Province
Pictured: Felizardo Lassine and Carlos Eduardo in Naissa Province outside a school in the Sanfa District, Niassa Province.
Felizardo Lassine, a Kuyenda rural youth advocate, was working in the village of Miala, in Sanga District, located in Niassa Province, when he met Carlos Eduardo, a 12-year-old boy who was facing difficulties after his parents faced great financial setbacks. Carlos had to drop out of school, abandon his studies, and move to his grandfather’s house with his mother, where he had to work on the family farm.
Determined to help Carlos, Felizardo started a dialogue with the parents, stressing the importance of education for the boy’s future and how beneficial it would be for him to return to school. Sensitised by Felizardo’s advocacy efforts, Carlos’ family came to understand the positive impact that education would have on this young man’s life, and Carlos’ parents agreed to support him. With the collaboration of the parents and Felizardo’s rural youth collective, supported by Kuyenda, Carlos was enrolled in school, resumed his studies, and is now in 5th grade.
Today, thanks to the dedication of Felizardo Lassine and the commitment of Calos’ parents, Carlos Eduardo has the opportunity to build a better future for himself by gaining an education. Carlos’ story is one of hope that inspired Felizardo and his fellow rural youth advocates to reach out into the community and raise awareness of the importance and benefits of education so that parents and guardians can support youth going to school. This is work that is ongoing in this district and throughout the Kuyenda Collective project.