This report highlights the results of the collaboration between the Santa Isabel Children’s Charity Work (OCSI) and the Fraternity -International Humanitarian Missions (FIHM), especially from April to June 2023, in the Angola Humanitarian Mission.
It is important to note that the teams of volunteer humanitarian actors continued and deepened these initiatives throughout 2023 and continue to work now in 2024. This was done with the support of OCSI employees and with the direct participation of the children and teenagers who live at Santa Isabel Children’s House, the institution’s main project.
Started in 2019, the partnership was resumed in 2022, after the pandemic period, culminating in significant implementations throughout 2023, with the aim of addressing social vulnerabilities arising from the country’s recent state of development, which overcame a civil war 22 years ago.
The projects implemented in partnership with OCSI, a private non-profit association founded in 1996, would provide support and coordination in the development of the institution, based on the following Intervention Sectors:
- Livelihoods and Durable Solutions
- Inclusive and Trauma-overcoming oriented Education
- Training
- Health support
Various training sessions were held, including
Training for the OCSI team: this strengthened the team’s work and internal communication, as well as updating the organization chart.
Workshops to promote hygiene and health: collective efforts were made to clean and organize spaces (storerooms, food pantry, rooms and the institution’s office). Training was given on making cleaning products such as bar soap, liquid soap, washing powder and disinfectant.
“The workshops have helped me a lot, not only because I’ve learned more about chemistry and mathematics, but also because it’s new knowledge that I’ll be able to take with me all my life and, over time, I’ll be able to delve deeper and start producing more stable soap, not only to meet the needs of the House, but also to sell,” says Atanásio, 16, a young man who lives at OCSI.
Bakery workshop: breads were made for the Santa IsabelChildren’s House. This task has been carried out once a week.
“I enjoyed taking part in the workshop; Sister Rosa taught me how to make bread. This started with the first group of humanitarian actors; she taught us how to make bread, we knew how to do it and we managed to learn more. It was important because we were able to make bread to give to the children at the House, so we didn’t have to spend money at the bakery,” says Clementino João, a 14-year-old who lives at OCSI.
Structuring the OCSI Communications Sector: Registration and training activities were carried out, including improving photographic and video techniques, writing texts, selecting images, editing, graphic design and content validation, as well as publicizing activities.
Improvements were also made to the Children’s House infrastructure, including maintenance of the House spaces and the office.
Activities with young people promoted conversation circles and moments of reflection, strengthening values such as truth and collaboration. Meetings with children and young people with disabilities stimulated personal and social development, based on the “Lesson that Heals”.
Also noteworthy was the Mana Girl workshop, focused on female education about anatomy, the menstrual cycle and self-care, where participants expressed their appreciation for the knowledge they had acquired.
These initiatives not only meet immediate needs, but also promote the development and well-being of the children and young people taken in by OCSI, as well as the entire team of employees and managers at the institution.
The volunteer humanitarian actors who make up the Angola Humanitarian Mission team emphasize the importance of ongoing dialogue with the OCSI management team to strengthen joint construction between the teams, with a view to ensuring continuity and further development of the projects. During this intervention cycle, this interaction proved to be fundamental in aligning strategies and overcoming challenges, promoting a more integrated and effective approach.
Each initiative implemented provided valuable learning about local cultural diversity, traditions and the inspiring qualities of individuals. The humanitarian workers were able to experience the richness of these experiences up close, which not only touched their hearts deeply, but also provided important reflections for life. The respect, contagious joy and resilience observed served as a source of inspiration and motivation to continue contributing to the improvement of humanitarian interventions.
In addition to the personal impact, the lessons learned during the Angola Humanitarian Mission provided valuable impetus for improving the humanitarian response, not only in this specific context, but also in other future interventions.
“This exchange of knowledge and experiences strengthens not only the team’s work, but also the ability to adapt and continuously improve humanitarian assistance practices in different contexts and vulnerable communities,” they point out.
The next steps include the continuation of the projects and the expansion of social education initiatives, such as physical education projects, shoe making and health care.
