We are capable, and our dreams go beyond what you can imagine

MAPUTO, Mozambique – I am a young man with many ambitions and dreams, with a constant will to learn new things. I have professional training in Mobile Journalism (MoJo) thanks to the support of TV Surdo, a Mozambican organization that believes in the potential of people with disabilities, for which I am a provincial correspondent.

Hello, my name is Hipólito Nhamposse, I am 21 years old, I live in Bairro Boquisso, a suburban area of Maputo city. I like associativism, I am a member of the Association of Young People with Disability of Mozambique and an ambassador and voice of the People with Disability.

Every day I use public transportation to commute to the city center (20 km away from my home), and that is where the challenges begin, the buses do not have any accessibility support, the levels of discrimination I feel are frightening, for example, some bus drivers refuse to take me.

One area that I am very passionate about and advocate for is the education of people with disabilities. Because without school, without an education, all other opportunities for our development are closed, we can't socialize, we can't get jobs, it's hard to start a family, so I never get tired of advocating to our government and society for the implementation of a curriculum system that is truly inclusive and of quality.

Employment opportunities for people with disabilities is another problem I see in our society. We are tired of being seen as people who only work in certain fields - like mechanics, locksmiths, or tailors. Yes it’s true, these are the only job opportunities that I see available to us, especially for those who are deaf, but, I tell you - "We, we are capable, and our dreams go beyond what you can imagine" - so universities are starting to receive more and more people with disabilities wanting to attend higher education, even though many of these institutions are not prepared.

I want to take this opportunity to also ask all those who really care about our cause, the inclusion of people with disabilities, to support me in delivering and expanding this message. A message from those who have hope in seeing things change in the short and medium-term.