From Anonymity to the Global Stage:

The story of Francisca Quissassa is proof that the origin of a young person does not determine their destiny, as long as there is access to the right tools and a firm will to win.

The daughter of teachers, Francisca, grew up with a fundamental lesson transmitted within her family: education is the most powerful investment that exists. However, it adds an essential element to this equation: individual preparation. For Francisca, luck, by itself, does not open doors. He argues that "young people should not wait passively for institutions or the government. The search for new skills and continuous training is an individual responsibility, essential to be prepared when opportunities arise".

The great turning point in his trajectory was his participation in the Genius Challenge. In a context where free opportunities for young people to express their ideas are limited, this program stood out as an inclusive platform, which requires only two things: energy and vision.

"Today's Francisca is radically different from that high school student before the contest," she says. Her transformation was not only professional, but deeply personal and behavioral.

Francisca also shares an important moment of reflection experienced when entering the program through the Viva Surdo project, conceived by her friend Armindo. Accustomed to standing out as the best student in her class and a meritorious student, she felt that she always needed to be at the forefront, as a creator and pioneer.

"I understood that I don't always have to be the first, as long as I'm part of something that has meaning and contributes to positively transforming the lives of others. You won't always be the first name, but you can be part of big changes."

The Genial Challenge proved to be a true school of practical leadership, providing him with skills that would later be decisive in his participation in international initiatives, such as the Mobilization Lab. During the intensive five-day bootcamp, he faced challenges that required quick thinking and effective solutions to real problems, a demanding but transformative methodology.

Francisca recalls the striking advice of mentor Catiana, who encouraged participants to avoid blockages in excessive planning: instead of getting stuck in the "what if?", they should test solutions on the ground and adjust them progressively, responding to the urgency of the communities' needs.

The program also strengthened her communication skills, helping her structure pitches and develop impactful visual narratives to influence decision-makers and partners. This preparation allowed her to reach international contexts already with a solid presentation, in English, about her work with the deaf community in Angola.

The impact of her victory in the Genius Challenge, followed by her participation in  Generation Unlimited's Global Challenge, projected her beyond national borders, giving visibility to her work on institutional and media platforms, including UNICEF.

However, this journey was not without challenges. At the beginning of her journey in associativism, Francisca faced criticism and discredit from family members and close people, who doubted the success of the Viva Surdo project and feared the exploitation of her work without financial return. Still, he remained firm in his purpose.

In 2026, she was selected to join a group of Young Lawyers for Children's Rights, participating in training and international meetings. The experience of representing Angola in global spaces, such as Addis Ababa and Kenya, had a profound meaning.

"Having this fully funded experience was a huge pride. I felt that the work began to bear fruit. It is worth investing in what we believe in, even when we do not see immediate results", he shares.

As a Young Lawyer at the World Health Summit, Francisca interacted with global leaders and was invited to join the Minister of Health's delegation at the World Health Assembly, a remarkable opportunity provided by UNICEF's visibility.

On this platform, she stood out as the only voice to explicitly advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, ensuring that topics such as immunization, nutrition, and maternal and child health included this often marginalized population.

Contact with international experiences also strengthened his understanding of diseases such as polio and their impacts. Motivated by this reality, she committed herself to becoming an active advocate for vaccination, contributing to efforts to eradicate the disease in Angola.

Currently, as a member of UNICEF's global group for youth health, Francisca takes on the role of representing the voice of Angolan youth at the international level.

"I take this responsibility seriously. I know that if I fail, I may be limiting the opportunities of other young people like me."

Her mission now is to multiply her impact by using social networks, lectures, and community actions to inspire other young people. Francisca believes that knowledge, the right opportunities, and individual commitment can transform lives.

For her, the message is clear: all young people can reach their potential, as long as they abandon passivity, define a path, and do the best they can with the resources available to them.