Mariza’s Family – Part 3
Greetings everyone,
Welcome back, and happy new year.
Let us begin with the questions that weigh heavily on our hearts:
- Did Mariza’s parents manage to treat the documents?
- Did Mariza go back to school?
The Struggle with Documentation
The answer, sadly, is no. Mariza’s father did not appear to register his children for national identity cards. Without documentation, their future remains uncertain. Her mother tried to take action, but the office they visited only deals with children aged 0–10. Mariza is already 15, turning 16 in June, and so the door was closed to her. Probably her youngest sister that is 9 years old will be able to acquire national ID and birth certificate this month.
This is a painful reminder of how bureaucracy blocks opportunity. It violates SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, because institutions should serve families, not exclude them.
Education Interrupted
Despite these obstacles, Mariza did manage to enroll in school last year in 2025 but went to visit her mother during the Christmas holidays. Now in 2026 a few days after classes had started, Mariza was not coming back to school due to lack of financial resources.
We made them a call, the family borrowed money for the trip, arriving late and exhausted. Yet her attendance is fragile — without documents, her permanence in the system is not guaranteed.
Friends, teachers, and classmates were waiting for her return, but poverty and stress kept her away. Instead of studying, Mariza will spend long days at home helping her mother with house tasks. This undermines SDG 4: Quality Education, which promises inclusive and equitable learning for all.
Advice for the Mother
We advised Quimbita, Mariza’s mother, to visit the school, check her daughter’s exam results, and request a transfer to a school closer to their home. This would allow Mariza to continue her studies without being trapped in household duties all day. Education must not be sacrificed to poverty.
This step is essential to uphold SDG 5: Gender Equality, ensuring that girls are not confined to domestic work but given the same chance to learn and grow as boys.
Poverty’s Burden
Quimbita, devastated after losing her job, walks long distances with Mariza searching for work. They return home disappointed, with nothing found. Poverty has stripped them of dignity and hope. The family struggles to choose between food and education.
This is a direct failure of SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 2: Zero Hunger. Angola is rich in resources, yet families like Mariza’s live in extreme poverty. This contradiction is unsustainable.
Health Crisis
The 4th daughter suffers from lung disease and requires constant X-rays. Healthcare is expensive, and without income, the family cannot afford proper treatment.
This undermines SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being. No child should walk sick without access to care.
A Broken System
How can citizens walk without national ID but still hold electoral cards?
The government ensures people can vote, yet denies them the basic identity needed for education and healthcare. This is exploitation, not inclusion.
This undermines SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. A system that prioritizes political survival over human development betrays its people.
A Call for Change
Angola must invest in the public good. Organize national registration campaigns so every citizen has an identity. Guarantee free and accessible education for all children. Provide affordable healthcare so no child dies before the age of five. Create jobs that respect human dignity.
This is how Angola can align with the SDGs — not in speeches, but in action:
- SDG 4: Quality Education → Ensure every child can study without barriers.
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being → Provide healthcare that saves lives.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth → Create jobs that sustain families.
- SDG 16: Strong Institutions → Build systems that serve people, not exploit them.
Hope for Mariza
Mariza’s story is painful, but it is also hopeful. She has entered school despite the odds. Her mother, though devastated, continues to fight. Their resilience is proof that even in the darkest times, families do not give up.
If Angola listens, if leaders act, if policies change — Mariza’s future can be different. She can learn, grow, and inspire others. Her family can rise from poverty. And Angola can fulfill its promise as a nation rich not only in resources, but in justice, dignity, and opportunity.
Friends, colleagues, and citizens — let us not turn away. Let us demand change. Let us stand with Mariza’s family, and with every family like hers. Because their struggle is our collective responsibility, and their hope is our shared future.
If you missed previous webisodes click here:
Part 1:
https://she-leads.blogspot.com/2025/12/mariza-chosen-light-from-shadows.html?m=1
Part 2:
https://she-leads.blogspot.com/2026/01/invisible-daughters-born-without-papers.html?m=1
Between Lost Documents and Lost Dreams: A Family’s Fight for Education”
“From Bureaucracy to Hope: Mariza’s Struggle for Identity and Schooling”
“When Poverty Blocks the Classroom: A Mother’s Courage, A Daughter’s Future”
“Denied by the System, Driven by Resilience: The Journey of Mariza’s Family”
“Education Interrupted, Hope Endures: A Call for Change in Angola”
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