Day 5: The journey of electrician Afonso!
Afonso Domingos, 20, is an inspiring example of how support and dedication can transform lives. Afonso’s story begins in Chokwé district, in a small house where he lives with his mother and four siblings.
Life has never been easy for this family. His mother, a domestic worker with HIV, faces the daily difficulties with courage, struggling to provide a decent home for her children. In 2014, she managed to raise enough money to build a new house, allowing the family to move out of their grandparents’ home.
Afonso began receiving support in November 2010, through the Sponsorship Programme. Since then, he has never given up on his studies, even in the face of adversity, completing grade 12 with the programme’s support.
A Path in Education and the Profession
Afonso always dreamed of a better future and knew that education was the way forward. In 2017, he enrolled on the Electricity course in Chókwe, but faced a harsh reality when he failed the first phase. Instead of being discouraged, she found the strength to start again. The following year, he completed the course with an average of 12, standing out as one of the best students.
Today, aged 20, he is studying Industrial Electricity. Between lessons and practice, he has already learnt how to do residential electrical installations and repair electrical appliances. In November 2023, he completed his curricular internship, where he put his acquired knowledge into practice and experienced the reality of working in the field. ‘I’m proud to have achieved such important personal and professional goals (…) Pride also comes from small victories, such as the ability to face challenges and learn from them!’ she shares with a smile, reflecting the transformation that education has brought to her life.
She faced many challenges on a daily basis: . For years, I used to walk more than an hour to get to school. In 2017, thanks to alg , she received a Mozambike bicycle, reducing her journey to 20 minutes. This support has also benefited her sister Orlanda, who goes to school on foot, facing long distances every day.
A promising future
Afonso’s story is a testimony to resilience and hope. With the challenges he has overcome and the knowledge he has acquired, he is charting a path to a better future. Each achievement reflects not only his strength of will, but also the positive impact of the support he receives.
By continuing his studies and committing to his education, Afonso is now a young man full of dreams and ambitions, determined to turn adversity into opportunity and create a brighter future for himself and his family.