From an early age, Deísy Laisse showed a natural connection to teaching. That spark became stronger during her teaching internship, when she first experienced classroom life up close. That moment didn’t just confirm her love for teaching, it also ignited a deeper drive to improve how education works, day by day.
One of the biggest challenges she faced was her age. Young in a space filled with older trainers, older in years and in professional history, Deísy had to prove, every day, that knowledge is not measured in time lived, but in commitment to learning and continuous growth. She turned that challenge into an opportunity, standing out through dedication and professional rigour.
Her entry into the job market came through that same practicum, which quickly opened the door to greater responsibilities, including pedagogical consultancy. Today, as a Pedagogical Advisor, she supports trainers, identifies learning needs, and supervises the entire training process, from enrolment to certification. Along this journey, she has contributed to the technical training of 374 participants, 106 of them girls.
The impact of her work shows up in smoother processes, improved academic results, and greater trainer motivation. For Deísy, education is one of the most powerful paths to women’s empowerment, especially in fields where women are still underrepresented.
Her message to women is direct and strong:
In a technical world that still remains largely male-dominated, Guinora Regina Chelengo stands out. Now a Pedagogical Director at the Salesians Vocational Training Centre, she chose the technical field out of a clear desire to break patterns and explore paths that women are too often discouraged from taking.
Guinora’s journey has not been free of obstacles. Working in a market dominated by men, and constantly having to exceed expectations, demanded resilience, courage, and technical excellence. She started as a trainee trainer, became a full trainer, and through the competence she consistently demonstrated, she was invited into leadership roles until she reached the position she holds today.
Her impact is especially visible in the regularisation of certification processes. By coordinating the external verification of hundreds of modules in electricity and metalwork/locksmithing, she helped many trainees gain official recognition of their skills, an essential boost for entering the labour market.
For Guinora, education transforms how a woman sees herself and how she positions herself in the world. Her message is one of strategy and persistence:
Elita de Lurdes Jacinto Nhantumbo Banze coordinates the “O Futuro é Meu” project, funded by Swisscontact and implemented at São José de Lhanguene and Lhanguene Secondary School. She is responsible for reintegrating adolescents and young people who are out of the education system, monitoring activities, and providing close follow-up with beneficiaries. At the same time, she ensures alignment between trainers, tutors, priests, and the full team involved so the work runs in an organised and effective way.
After completing her degree in Human Resource Management, Elita entered an active job-search phase. She began with internships, gaining practical experience and professional maturity, before joining the Salesians and growing into her current role as Project Coordinator, where she continues to develop professionally.
In her current work, Elita highlights the direct impact she sees in the young people she supports: behaviour change, stronger commitment to studies, and improved self-esteem. These shifts reflect the value of the opportunity the project provides and reinforce the deeper purpose behind her work. To date, she has supported the reintegration of 160 young people, 68 of them girls.
For Elita, education is the foundation of women’s empowerment. Through education, women gain knowledge, confidence, and decision-making power, opening doors to better-quality access to the labour market and to economic and social autonomy.
Her message to women facing barriers is a call for courage and persistence:
Júlia Arão Tembe, a trainer at the Metalworking Vocational Training Centre, prepares young people and adults for the labour market in refrigeration, air conditioning, automation, and electromechanical maintenance. For her, it’s not only about teaching technical skills; it’s a commitment to shaping people, unlocking potential, and creating opportunities, connecting vocational training to human development and social inclusion.
Her story at the centre began as a trainee. She enrolled in Automation and Electromechanical Maintenance and, on the first day, realised she would be the only girl in the class. Instead of becoming a barrier, that reality became a powerful motivator. Determined to prove to herself that she belonged there too, she committed fully to her studies and discovered a genuine passion for the field along the way.
Her love for working with young people and sharing knowledge meant that when she was invited to join the centre as a trainer, she didn’t hesitate. She embraced the opportunity with enthusiasm and now has nine years of dedication, growth, and direct impact on many trainees.
One of her biggest challenges was training adults significantly older than she was. At first, this required courage, but with the support of multiple training sessions and additional capacity building, she developed the confidence and authority needed to lead diverse groups, strengthening her professional foundation.
Since then, her experience has been deeply rewarding. Each semester, she watches young people progress from a basic understanding to solid skills that prepare them for the labour market. She especially highlights the growth of girls who initially feel unable to perform tasks labelled “male” and who, by the end, demonstrate real confidence and competence. Over her career, she has trained 500 trainees, 20 of them girls.
For Júlia, education is one of the strongest tools for women’s empowerment. Through it, women gain technical skills, problem-solving abilities, economic independence, and the confidence to claim their place in the labour market. For her, education is freedom.
Her message to women still facing professional barriers is one of courage and solidarity:
On this 8 March, Elita reinforces a personal commitment:
Across these remarkable journeys, connected by a shared legacy of human development and equality, Deísy, Guinora, Elita, and Júlia represent different paths within Mozambique’s vocational training landscape, yet converge on the same core values: courage, resilience, professionalism, and an unshakable belief that education is the driving force that transforms lives.
Their impact goes far beyond the classroom. It opens doors, breaks barriers, and creates new opportunities for other women, especially in a context where women’s participation still faces significant challenges. On International Women’s Day, their example highlights the power of education and vocational training as tools for empowerment and inclusion, inspiring new generations to dream, persist, and claim a more just and equal future.
On this 8 March, they reaffirm personal commitments that reflect their contribution to a more inclusive and fair country:
This project is financed by the Medicor Foundation, Happel Foundation, and Linsi-Foundation. It is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, which is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA.