Arminda’s Story - Constructing a Dream

Arminda is 11 years old and lives in Magul, on the eastern coast of Mozambique. She has just finished the 6th grade in the local school and her favorite subject is mathematics. She is a bright and happy girl who gets along well with her friends. She enjoys playing games with them during recess. Arminda is the eldest of four children and helps her mother with household chores, which include fetching water, sweeping the yard, washing dishes and taking care of her younger siblings. Arminda dreams of becoming a nurse when she grows up. She says,"I want to help the people of my community when they get sick."

Arminda remembers that when she started coming to the school, things were difficult. Classes were crowded, rooms were dark and she sat with other children on the floor on top of carpet made from cane. The roof let in water when it rained. Blackboards were very small and Arminda could not see what the teacher was writing as she used to sit at the back of the class. The result was poor grades. There was also no potable water and the latrines were in poor condition.

Arminda's school has been part of a sponsorship-funded community and, with the help of Save the Children's many sponsors, she studies under much better conditions. Her school now has 11 classrooms and she studies in a conventional classroom properly seated in a desk. There is a youth center at her school which offers activities aimed at helping teens stay healthy. She is part of a theatre group consisting of children her age who perform in the school and community, delivering key messages about disease prevention and sexual and reproductive health. She also has learned gardening and some agricultural skills which she has shared with her mother.

Arminda says that when she started participating in Save the Children's Sponsorship program, she did not understand it. Her mother encouraged her to continue and now Arminda says, "…it was good to have a far away friend that helps children and the development of the community. Today I make beautiful drawings to my friend (sponsor)... when he can; he sends small packages to me, and these I divide with my little brothers. I really like all the attention and caring that he gives me..."

The school council president is grateful for this support as he says, "we want native teachers, nurses and good agricultural technicians from Magul coming from the children of today."