Young people from the +Emprego project, an initiative set up in 2020 to foster the creation of decent work opportunities in Cabo Delgado, especially for the youth population, shared their experiences of overcoming obstacles and success during the Final Conference of the 1st Phase of the project, held in Maputo this Monday, December 2.
The common denominator in the speeches by the eight young people was the way in which the program had transformed their lives, giving them new professional prospects.
The project, funded by the European Union and managed by Camões I.P., which has been delegated powers by the European Commission to carry out budget implementation tasks, enabling it to ensure that activities are implemented in partnership with the Mozambican national authorities, aims to increase economic opportunities for the population of Cabo Delgado, contributing to access to decent work and improving quality of life. Focused on activities directly or indirectly related to the natural gas industry, the program seeks to integrate the local population into the sector, promoting sustainable development and generating employment and income in the region.
Ivan Baptista, one of the beneficiaries of the program, said that he always had doubts about the viability of starting his own business. “I always wondered if it was possible to make a difference through entrepreneurship,” he confessed. With the support of the initiative, Ivan founded a motorcycle cab company, but faced some challenges, especially with managing his poorly educated team. “The big challenge was dealing with human capital, but, with patience, the business prospered and today we make an average profit of 30,000 meticals a month,” said Baptista, highlighting the lessons he has learned along the way.
+Employment as a tool for creating new opportunities
Maiassa Rasse, another beneficiary, also shared her experience. Coming from a family with few resources, the young woman decided in 2021 to take a chance on the +Employment program and open her own locksmith and painting business. Throughout her career, Rasse faced an obstacle that almost made her give up: prejudice because she was a woman. “When I started, no one wanted to hire my services because people thought I was incapable of doing that business because I was a woman. But after I formalized my company, I started providing my services to various people,” she said.
In addition, the program has helped young people who were involved in informal work due to financial difficulties. Bachir Macassar Pereira, for example, found in the project a chance to restart his career. “The program was the opportunity I needed to change my reality. Today, I work as a quality management system and occupational health and safety assistant,” he explained, highlighting the impact of the technical training he received.
Said Assane, who also saw his life transformed thanks to the project, said that he arrived in Pemba with no prospects and no professional qualifications. After getting involved in the initiative, he found an opportunity to develop his skills and start his own business. “I arrived with no job and no idea what to do, but the program helped me get started. Now I own my own company,” he revealed, highlighting the importance of the training offered by the program.
Other young people, such as Wilton Sexta-feira, André Eliseu Pedro, Nádia Amaro and Massane Fonseca, also shared their stories during the conference, showing how the support and training they received in the +Emprego project was fundamental in transforming their lives. Their experiences are a clear example of how the program is opening doors to new opportunities and contributing to Cabo Delgado’s development.
Text: Florença Nhabinde
