Joana's Journey: From Trauma to Hope through the CUIDA Project
“Every morning before I go to school, I come here to the workshop,” Joana shares. “I want to learn how to make bread bags and everything they teach us here.”
Pemba City, Mozambique – At 19 years old, *Joana Amade sits on a mat, carefully stitching a bread bag. This simple act, part of her involvement in the CUIDA project, represents more than just craft—it symbolises resilience and a new beginning. For the past five months, Joana has participated in a sewing workshop organised by UNICEF and the AVSI Foundation, with support from the USAID/BHA and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
“Every morning before I go to school, I come here to the workshop,” Joana shares. “I want to learn how to make bread bags and everything they teach us here, so that one day I can earn money, buy school supplies, and never have to stop studying—something I had to do for the past three years since we fled Macomia because of the war.”
The workshop, designed to empower vulnerable children who have experienced violence, offers Joana and her peers not only a safe space but also valuable life skills. Here, they craft everyday items that can be sold to support themselves and their families, all while fostering hope and a sense of purpose.
Before joining the workshop, Joana’s life was consumed by the trauma of the war. In 2020, her village in Macomia was attacked by armed men, and during her family’s escape, her uncle was captured. His whereabouts remain unknown, leaving a deep emotional scar.
“I still carry the sadness of what happened to my uncle. He was like a father to me, and I can’t forget the day he was taken,” Joana says, her voice soft but steady. “That’s why this workshop is so important to me. It helps me escape those painful memories. Here, we talk and laugh, and the aunties who guide us give us comfort. Sewing and embroidering bread bags takes my mind off the past and helps me feel good.”
Today, Joana’s outlook is brighter. Not only has she returned to school, but she’s also embraced other activities in the workshop, such as theatre, which provide further avenues for self-expression and personal growth. Her dream of becoming a teacher is now within reach as she pours her energy into her studies, determined to build a future of her own.
Through the CUIDA project, Joana transforms her pain into strength, one stitch at a time. What began as a means of survival has blossomed into a beacon of hope, proving that even in the darkest times, a brighter tomorrow is possible.
*Joana Amade is not her real name
