Back in school and planning for the future
UNICEF supports the programme for children formerly associated with armed groups in Cabo Delgado, implemented in partnership with FDC, with the generous support of the Government of Canada.
Note: Names and identifying details in this story have been changed or withheld to protect the identities and safety of the children and family members involved.
Cabo Delgado, Mozambique - Sixteen-year-old Veronica hangs clothes on a line outside her home as she talks with her mother about school.
She is in Grade 7 now and says she is enjoying being back in the classroom.
“I am really happy to be home again,” Veronica says. “I am learning many new things at school. I have learned to read and am making new friends.”
In 2020, Veronica and her mother, Amelia, were taken by an armed group and spent four years away from their community. During that time, Veronica studied at a madrassa and carried out domestic work. They returned home in 2024.
“When they returned, they had no documents,” says Maria, 26, who works with FDC, a UNICEF partner organization that is supporting Veronica and other children affected by the conflict.
Veronica had also missed four years of formal education.
Through a programme supporting children formerly associated with armed groups, she received one-to-one psychosocial support, help replacing her identification and birth registration documents, school materials and assistance to return to school in 2025.
“All my documents were lost,” Veronica says. “The programme helped me get new ID and birth registration documents.”
Maria says Veronica initially struggled to sleep and experienced bad dreams. Counselling helped her recover, while returning to school gave her the opportunity she had been waiting for.
“School reintegration was especially important for Veronica because she had missed four years of education,” Maria says. “She was excited to return, and now she is doing well.”
Veronica also spends time at a multipurpose centre where children and adolescents can learn, play, and spend time with their peers.
“I like playing with the other girls and using the sewing machine,” she says. “I make skirts and dresses. I hope to make more and sell some at the market.”
She has also taken part in vocational training, learning basic construction skills, including how to make bricks using cement and sand.
“I would like to build houses when I am older,” she says. “First for my family, then for other people.”
For Amelia, seeing her daughter back in school and building friendships again has brought relief after years away from home.
“Words cannot say how I feel to be home again,” she says. “I am really happy to see Veronica enjoying school and making friends.”
Across Cabo Delgado, conflict has exposed thousands of children to violence, displacement, family separation and the risk of recruitment and use and abduction by armed groups. In 2026, 81 children had registered with the programme at the time of the interview.
Implemented by FDC, the programme provides support including counselling, family tracing and reunification, social reintegration, civil documentation, and vocational training.
Veronica is now focused on continuing her education and already knows what she would like to do in the future.
“I want to be a nurse when I finish school.”
UNICEF supports the programme for children formerly associated with armed groups in Cabo Delgado, implemented in partnership with FDC, with the generous support of the Government of Canada.
