Become a Guardian Angel

Before coming to Goodwill, Alírio lived in Bairro Central with his mother, siblings, and grandparents. In 2019, he left home because, in his own words, “there was nothing to eat.” At first, he sometimes returned home, but the hunger remained, and little by little the street became the place where he stayed.

He remembers that on his first day in town, someone asked him to help carry a few things and gave him some coins. He used them to buy something to eat. From then on, he survived however he could, doing what was necessary to get by.

Everything began to change in 2023, when he met someone who bought him food and a soft drink and told him about a place that welcomes vulnerable children. He was also told that some of the boys he had lived with on the streets were already there, with proper food and a good place to sleep. As Alírio says, “I did not think twice.”

When he arrived at Goodwill, he was very ill and suffering badly from scabies, to the point that he could hardly sleep. With care, treatment, and support, his health improved and his life began to change.

Today, Alírio is in 4th grade. He loves Uno and futebol, and he continues to grow in a safe and caring environment where he is learning, healing, and building a brighter future.

With your help, Alírio can continue to grow in safety, confidence, and hope as he works toward his dream of becoming a bricklayer or electrician.

António lived with his parents and cousins, and he remembers that before everything changed, he was in “a very healthy environment.” But when he was 10 years old, he lost his mother to illness. Later, when his father became sick and was transferred to the hospital in Inhambane, António and his siblings were left alone, with no one to care for them.

As he says, “we began to go hungry.” His brother had to work in the gardens doing small jobs to earn money to buy food for the house, while António stayed behind and helped where he could. Then, to their great misfortune, his father also passed away, and the children were left without anyone to look after them.

After the funeral, their uncle brought them to the centre so that they could finally “have a home.” Since then, António has been growing in a safer and more supportive environment, with the care and stability every child deserves.

Today, António is in 7th grade. He loves Uno and is very good at it, and he is also very good at chess. He dreams of becoming a pilot because he wants to make people fly.

With your help, António can continue to grow in safety, confidence, and hope as he works toward his dream of becoming a pilot.

Tomás came from a deeply vulnerable home environment and, before arriving at Goodwill, faced many challenges no child should ever have to endure. He lived with family members who were themselves struggling greatly and were unable to provide the stable care and protection he needed. Because of this, Tomás was not attending school and would often go to the market in search of leftover food to eat.

Recognising the risks he was exposed to and the absence of a secure family structure, it became clear that Tomás needed a safe and nurturing place where he could be cared for, protected, and given the opportunity to grow. Coming to Goodwill gave him that chance, offering him stability, dignity, and the support every child deserves.

Today, Tomás is growing in a more loving and structured environment. He is particularly good at running, especially sprints, and he loves baseball. He also understands all the basic rules of the game, which makes it one of his favourite activities.

With your help, Tomás can continue to grow in safety, confidence, and hope as he builds a brighter future.

Vasco grew up in very difficult circumstances, living with his grandmother and surviving through small jobs like washing clothes and climbing coconut trees to help earn money for food. There were days when they went to sleep without eating anything, and because of hunger and a lack of opportunity, he eventually left school and began spending time on the streets, doing small jobs for people and helping carry their things just to survive.

In his own words, “It was not easy at all, but because of hunger I had to endure everything.”

While living on the streets, Vasco met other boys in similar situations, and together they tried to survive, often sleeping wherever they could find a place. His life changed when he came to the centre, where he found care, stability, and a family.

Today, Vasco is in 3rd grade. He is one of the top chess players at the orphanage and has strong swimming skills. He dreams of becoming a pilot and building a brighter future for himself.

With your help, Vasco can continue to grow in safety, confidence, and hope as he works toward his dream of becoming a pilot.

Sozinho lived with his mother and siblings, and together they survived through small jobs, selling firewood, and working in the machambas so they could have food at home. Life was very difficult and, in his own words, “life was pressing us very hard.” There were times when they ate sweet potato on its own, simply because they did not always manage to earn money.

Everything changed when he came to Goodwill, where he found a place of greater care, stability, and support. Today, he feels better and is grateful for the chance to grow up in a safer and more hopeful environment.

Sozinho is now in 4th grade and loves futebol. He dreams of becoming a bricklayer so that one day he can build houses.

With your help, Sozinho can continue to grow in safety, confidence, and hope as he works toward his dream of becoming a bricklayer.

Before coming to Goodwill, Marcélia lived with her mother and siblings. Life was very difficult and, in her own words, they had almost nothing. Even so, she continued going to school every day, holding on to the importance of learning and the hope of a better future.

Marcélia never knew her father, and one day her mother told her that he had already passed away. Later, when she was asked whether she would like to live in a place where children like her are cared for and supported, she said yes.

That was how Marcélia came to Goodwill Mozambique. Since then, she has been surrounded by love and care. As she says, the mamãs there look after the children with all their hearts, and they also make it possible for them to visit their families. At times, they even help her mother and siblings at home.

Today, Marcélia is in 8th grade and can say with certainty that Goodwill is her home. She is growing in a safer and more supportive environment where she can continue to learn, dream, and build a brighter future.

Marcélia dreams of becoming a doctor so that she can heal both children and adults.

With your help, Marcélia can continue to grow in safety, confidence, and hope as she works toward her dream of becoming a doctor.

Milda came to Goodwill in a situation of great vulnerability. She had been living with her father, but was suffering physical violence and mistreatment. Because of the risks she was exposed to and the lack of a safe family environment, she was referred for shelter and protection so that she could be cared for in safety and dignity.

Her parents are separated, and Milda has had no contact with her mother, only knowing that she is in Maputo. She also shared that she does not know any other family members and had never been registered. With no immediate relatives able to care for her, Goodwill became the place where she could begin receiving the protection, stability, and support every child deserves.

While efforts continue to identify any family members who may be able to assist in the future, Milda is being cared for at Goodwill, where she can benefit from safety, education, and the full rights every child should enjoy. Given the neglect and risk she had been facing, institutional care was the best path to help ensure her wellbeing, dignity, and continued access to schooling.

Today, Milda is in 4th grade and is growing in a more loving and supportive environment. She loves English classes and is especially fond of baseball, always asking when the next game will take place.

With your help, Milda can continue to grow in safety, confidence, and hope as she builds a brighter future.

Néusia lived with her mother and siblings, and together they survived through small jobs, selling firewood, and working in the machambas so they could have food at home. Life was very difficult and, like her brothers, she grew up in a home where the family had to work hard just to get by. There were times when money was very scarce and food was simple, but despite these hardships, she continued forward with strength.

Everything changed when she came to Goodwill, where she found greater care, stability, and support. Since then, Néusia has been able to grow in a safer and more nurturing environment, surrounded by love and opportunity.

Today, Néusia is in 3rd grade. She is particularly good at Uno and is known as one of the best Uno players at the orphanage. She dreams of becoming a police officer, a future that reflects her strength and determination.

Néusia is growing with confidence and joy.

She dreams of becoming a police officer, a future that reflects her strength and determination.

With your help, Néusia can continue to grow in safety, confidence, and hope as she works toward her dream of becoming a police officer.

Ruth lived with her mother, who survived through small jobs and by going to the beach to catch fish to sell so that there could be food at home. Ruth also helped her family by selling vegetables alongside her older siblings so that they could buy school notebooks. Life was not easy and, in her own words, they all slept in a single small house, where five of them shared one space.

Everything changed when Ruth came to the centre. From that moment, her life began to change for the better. Today, she is deeply grateful to the mamãs and papás at Goodwill who have contributed to her wellbeing and helped care for her.

Ruth is now in 5th grade. She is very good at Uno and especially loves baseball. She dreams of becoming a doctor so that one day she can help heal others.

With your help, Ruth can continue to grow in safety, confidence, and hope as she works toward her dream of becoming a doctor.

Samuel lived in Bairro 19 de Outubro with his parents, but in 2023 he left home to live on the streets because, in his own words, his father would often mistreat him when he came home drunk, and he “could not take it anymore.” Life on the streets was harsh, but he met other boys who had already been living there for some time, and they took him in.

One day, while heading toward the hospital to look for something to eat, Samuel met someone who bought him food and later gave him the opportunity to come to Goodwill, where another boy he knew was already staying. He said yes, and from that moment, his life began to change.

Samuel says, “My life changed a lot from that day.” At Goodwill, he found proper meals, a good place to sleep, and the chance to return to school. He is especially proud that he has improved so much and can now read, something that brings him great happiness.

Today, Samuel is in 6th grade. He loves English classes, is very flexible and helpful in his work, and is also very good at chess. He dreams of becoming a plumber or electrician, inspired by the work he has seen and the skills he hopes to build for his future.

With your help, Samuel can continue to grow in safety, confidence, and hope as he works toward his dream of becoming a plumber or electrician.

Dércio lived with his uncles, and before his uncle became ill, life at home was more stable. In his own words, “our conditions were good” and his uncle did everything for them. But when his uncle’s health began to decline, everything started to change. Dércio had to stop studying in order to care for him, and after his uncle was admitted to hospital, even more responsibility fell on his shoulders.

He began caring for his cousins and doing small jobs in people’s gardens, making canteiros so that there would be something to eat at home. He also had his own small garden, but it was not enough to cover all the household’s needs. As he explains, he kept doing biscatos while his cousins helped with the activities at home. In time, his uncle passed away, and the children were left without an adult to care for them.

That was when family members sought help from the Goodwill Centre, where Dércio and his cousins were warmly received. Since then, he has been growing in a safer and more supportive environment, surrounded by care and stability.

Today, Dércio is in 7th grade. He dreams of becoming a petroleum engineer and would one day like to work at Sasol in the oil industry.

With your help, Dércio can continue to grow in safety, confidence, and hope as he works toward his dream of becoming a petroleum engineer.

Milton grew up in the Aeroporto neighbourhood, where he lived with his grandmother, uncle, and three brothers. Life at home was very difficult and, in his own words, he “did not feel safe.” To avoid the mistreatment he experienced there, Milton would leave home early in the morning and only return very late at night, once everyone was asleep.

There were many days when there was no food at home. Milton would go into the streets to ask for money, hoping to buy something for everyone to eat. Even then, he was often left without food himself. During those painful times, it was his friends who helped him continue, giving him clothes to wear and something to eat when they could.

In 2023, while searching the streets for money to buy food, Milton was given the opportunity to come to Goodwill. There, he found what he had been missing for so long: a safe place to sleep, proper care, good food, and the chance to go to school.

As Milton says, “From that day, I became the happiest child in the world.”

Today, Milton is in 7th grade. He loves learning English and is able to engage well in class. He is also very good at drawing, and his creativity continues to shine as he grows in confidence and ability. Milton dreams of becoming an artist so that he can use his talent and creativity to build a brighter future.

With your help, Milton can continue to grow in safety, confidence, and hope as he works toward his dream of becoming an artist.

Velson lost his mother when he was only 2 years old and was then raised by his aunt, his mother’s sister. Life was not easy. His aunt did not have a steady job and worked making pineiras, while Velson tried to balance school with helping to support the household by selling tangerines at the market. In time, he found that he could not manage both, and because of this, he stopped studying and began spending more time on the streets.

It was there that he was found by sisters from the Catholic church in the city. When they asked him where he came from, he told them that he was living on the streets. They told him they wanted to give him a home, and he accepted because, in his own words, “it was all I wanted.”

That is how Velson came to Goodwill. His story is one of loss, responsibility, and a deep desire to belong. He has had to grow up quickly, but he continues to move forward with courage.

Today, Velson is known for being good at Uno and for liking to take responsibility. With the right support, he continues to grow in confidence and stability.

With your help, Velson can continue to grow in safety, confidence, and hope as he builds a brighter future.

Victor lived with his mother, grandmother, and siblings, and in his own words, “life was not easy at home.”

Even so, his mother and grandmother did everything they could to make sure there was food on the table. They worked in other people’s machambas to earn money, while Victor tried to continue with school.

But because of the difficult circumstances his family was facing, Victor eventually had to leave school.

To help at home, he went into the streets to collect bottles to sell so that he could buy something to eat for the family. Despite these hardships, he kept going with courage and determination.

With the support of social services, Victor was able to come to Goodwill, where he was warmly welcomed and given the care and stability every child deserves. Today, he is grateful to the Goodwill family for receiving him so well and for teaching him so much in the home he now knows as his own.

Victor loves baseball and is especially good at athletics, particularly long-distance running.

With your help, Victor can continue to grow in safety, confidence, and hope as he builds a brighter future.

Elton lived in Chibuene with his parents and six siblings, and he was the oldest child in the family. His daily routine began very early, helping with household chores before spending time with friends. But when he returned home, there was often no lunch waiting for him. Wanting to help, he began going into town to do small jobs and earn a few coins so that he could buy something to eat and bring support to the home.

One day, he met boys who had already been living on the streets for a long time. They shared food with him and gave him blankets, and from that moment, he also began living there and no longer returned home.

That was in 2022. In 2023, Elton was given the opportunity to come to Goodwill, where he found, in his own words, “a proper place to sleep,” “the food a child deserves,” and access to school. From that day, his life began to change for the better.

Today, Elton is in 6th grade. He is particularly good at English, understands new concepts quickly, and is also very good at Uno. He dreams of becoming an electrician and building a brighter future for himself.

With your help, Elton can continue to grow in safety, confidence, and hope as he works toward his dream of becoming an electrician.

Jaime lived with his mother and siblings, and together they survived by doing small jobs and selling firewood so that there could be food at home. Life was very difficult and, in his own words, there were days when they did not eat lunch at all and simply waited for dinner. He also remembers the pain of seeing his younger siblings cry from hunger.

Everything changed when he came to Goodwill. As he says, “thanks to God, I was saved.” Since then, Jaime has found a place where he feels safe, cared for, and supported.

Today, Jaime is in 4th grade. He loves playing Uno and enjoys fun games such as stuck in the mud, Chinese ladder, and cops and robbers. He dreams of becoming a pilot and building a brighter future for himself.

With your help, Jaime can continue to grow in safety, confidence, and hope as he works toward his dream of becoming a pilot.

Before coming to Goodwill, Dércio O. lived with his father and stepmother in Bairro Quinto Congresso. He explains that his father would leave something for him to eat so that he could take his medication, but there were many times when food was not left for him, and this made life very difficult. In his own words, “I could not take my medicine without eating.”

Because of this, Dércio became very unwell. Sometimes he would go to his uncle, his father’s older brother, where he was given food, but the situation at home remained unstable. One day, while going to the hospital to collect medication with his sister-in-law, a representative from social services told him that there was now space for him at the orphanage and that he could move there.

A week later, he was brought to Goodwill in 2023. Since then, his life has changed for the better. Today, Dércio is healthy, attending school, and grateful for the care and support he has received.

Dércio O. is now in 7th grade. He is practical and creative, and dreams of becoming a driver so that one day he can transport people.

With your help, Dércio O. can continue to grow in safety, confidence, and hope as he works toward his dream of becoming a driver.