In the Midst of Hardship, Children Still Dare to Dream in Mozambique

By Álvaro Malamba, Communication and Advocacy Coordinator  

Despite the vulnerability caused by extreme climate events that cyclically affect the northern part of Gaza Province in Mozambique, particularly the districts of Guijá and Mabalane, children remain firm and faithful to their dreams of a different future.

Azarias, a 12-year-old boy in grade 6, is one such example. On the fringes of a harsh reality marked by hunger, a result of food insecurity brought on by the El Niño phenomenon and the floods that devastated agricultural fields in his community, Azarias does not lose the sparkle in his eyes nor the energy to chase after a soccer ball.

It is, in fact, in that very ball that he sees his future: 

“When I grow up, I want to be a great footballer. That way, I’ll never be in need.” 

His words come out with conviction, as he proudly holds the soccer ball in his hands, a hope of a dream surviving scarcity and climate shocks.

While Azarias chases his future in kicks and goals, Maria, a 9-year-old girl in grade 4, draws her own path. Quite literally. Sitting on the ground, tracing with her finger, she sketches in the sand the house of her dreams.

“When I grow up, I want to be a teacher,” she says with a shy smile, full of conviction.

In a remote community like Maria’s, in Guijá, where social norms still push many girls towards domestic chores rather than school, the teacher stands as one of the few role models.
For Maria, becoming a teacher is more than a profession: it’s a way to change lives.

“By being a teacher, I’ll be able to teach other children, especially girls, about the importance of studying. That way, they too can dream of a big house like the one I’ll have one day,” she affirms, with a hopeful gaze and a steady finger tracing the outline of her drawing.

World Vision Mozambique in straight collaboration with government authorities and the support of different donors is enabling the environment for Azarias and Maria to pursue their dreams through the sponsorship initiative, implementing several activities so that children can experience a safe and supportive environment.

As an example, the organisation supported the establishment of more than 600 Saving Groups that in 2024 alone contributed to improving living conditions of nearly 15,000 boys and girls, Maria and Azarias included, as their parents and caregivers, are in a position to access education, healthcare, and food security through financial inclusion and income-generating activities.

Maria and other girls dreaming of becoming teachers benefited from the construction of classrooms and sanitation facilities, and the addition of a teacher, improving educational access for 380 students especially for girls.

Stories like those of Azarias and Maria inspire World Vision’s work in Mozambique.
In underprivileged contexts like Guijá and Mabalane, the organisation strives to ensure the well-being and full development of children, through integrated projects in education, health and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, livelihoods, and emergency response capitalizing contributions from donors spread around the world.