The 2026 AFRICA EDUCATES HER CAMPAIGN REPORT - ANGOLA 6th Anniversary | 2020–2026

 

 

 AFRICA EDUCATES HER CAMPAIGN REPORT — ANGOLA 6th Anniversary | 2020–2026 Education, protection, and permanence of girls in school

 

The Africa Educates Her Campaign, launched in 2020 by the African Union through AUCIEFA, aimed to ensure that no girl lost access to education during and after the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Among the five ambassadors elected and published by AUCIEFA in 2020, Sofonie Dala, an Angolan community journalist, was chosen to represent Southern Africa. Her work has been marked by resilience, despite facing aggression from misinformed citizens and government hostility, which often misinterpreted journalistic investigation as opposition rather than a solution.

Key Achievements

·       Hundreds of children reached across rural and urban Angola.

·       International online community of nearly two million followers, with the United States at the forefront.

·       School retention of girls facing poverty, early pregnancy, or child marriage, many of whom completed secondary education thanks to campaign support.

·       Social activities carried out: distribution of biosafety materials, provision of school supplies, delivery of food, and monetary donations for medical assistance.

 

Problems Identified

·       Structural poverty and lack of family support for orphans.

·       Early pregnancy and child marriage, worsened by the pandemic.

·       Lack of civil documentation (ID cards), preventing access to public service and formal education.

·       Poor academic performance: adolescents over 10 years old unable to read or write even in 4th or 5th grade.

·       Educational exclusion: thousands of children and adults live without documentation or schooling.

Criticism of Government

The Angolan government fails to provide basic civil documentation for children. Without ID cards, school enrollment is impossible, perpetuating cycles of poverty and exclusion. Furthermore, journalists — especially women — face intimidation, censorship, and symbolic violence, being treated as political opponents rather than defenders of human rights.

 

 

 

                 Relatório Crítico – 6º Aniversário da Campanha Africa Educa Ela

🇵🇹 Versão em Português

A campanha Africa Educa Ela, lançada em 2020 pela União Africana através da AUCIEFA, nasceu com o objetivo de garantir que nenhuma rapariga perdesse o acesso à educação durante e após a pandemia da COVID‑19.

Entre as cinco embaixadoras eleitas e publicadas pela AUCIEFA em 2020, Sofonie Dala, jornalista comunitária angolana, foi escolhida para representar a África Austral. A sua atuação foi marcada por coragem e resiliência, enfrentando agressões de cidadãos mal informados e resistência governamental, que muitas vezes interpretaram a investigação jornalística como oposição política em vez de solução social.

 

Principais Conquistas

·       Centenas de crianças alcançadas em zonas rurais e urbanas de Angola.

·       Comunidade internacional digital com quase dois milhões de seguidores, destacando os Estados Unidos como país mais engajado.

·       Manutenção escolar de meninas em situação de pobreza, gravidez precoce ou casamento infantil, muitas das quais conseguiram concluir o ensino médio graças ao incentivo da campanha.

·       Atividades sociais realizadas: distribuição de materiais de biossegurança, fornecimento de materiais escolares, entrega de alimentos e doação de valores monetários para assistência médica.

Problemas Identificados

·       Pobreza estrutural e falta de apoio familiar para órfãos.

·       Gravidez precoce e casamento infantil, agravados pela pandemia.

·       Ausência de documentação civil (bilhete de identidade), impedindo o acesso à função pública e à educação formal.

·       Baixo desempenho académico: adolescentes acima de 10 anos incapazes de ler e escrever mesmo na 4ª ou 5ª classe.

·       Exclusão educacional: milhares de crianças e adultos vivem sem qualquer escolarização.

Crítica ao Governo

O governo angolano falha gravemente ao não garantir documentação básica às crianças. Sem bilhete de identidade, não há matrícula escolar. Esta negligência perpetua ciclos de pobreza e exclusão. Além disso, jornalistas — sobretudo mulheres — enfrentam intimidação, censura e violência simbólica, sendo vistas como opositoras em vez de defensoras de direitos humanos.

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IS IT, OR IS IT NOT?

Conditions That Can Become Disabilities

 

A warm welcome to everyone!

Today, we continue celebrating the 6th Anniversary of Africa Educates Her Angola — six years of education, empowerment, leadership, inclusion, and creating space for voices too often overlooked.

For this special edition, we open an important conversation:

What happens when a condition becomes a disability?

To explore this question, we bring together two very different stories — Sofonie's story, and Mima's story.

 

Sofonie's story takes us into the world of neurodevelopment. She describes becoming increasingly aware of strong neurodevelopmental traits during her teenage years — particularly after being left alone in Russia at the age of 14. Her intense inner world, her social sensitivity, and the way her mind can sometimes lock onto a single problem — investigating it fully rather than letting it go, losing all track of time — raise important questions about how different minds function.

But these traits should not simply be reduced to a diagnosis. They remind us that a condition can affect a person's functioning differently depending on their environment, their support, and their circumstances.

 

 

Mima's story presents another reality.

She was not born with her physical disability. As a child, she had only a slight limp — but over the years, her mobility progressively declined. Today, at 26, walking, standing, and moving have become significant challenges. Mima is also an orphan, having lost both parents. She wonders whether her condition may be connected to past healthcare circumstances — perhaps an injection, or inadequate maternal care — though these possible causes have never been medically confirmed.

 

Click here to lean more: https://she-leads.blogspot.com/2025/10/inclusive-education-for-disabled-and.html

Two different stories. One shared question:

When does a condition become a disability?

Perhaps the answer is not found in a diagnosis alone.

We must also look at functioning, barriers, accessibility, social attitudes, healthcare, education, and the support available to each individual.

Disability can be present from birth, acquired later in life, progressive, visible, or invisible.

 

And behind every condition is a human being who deserves to be heard — not judged.

This is why Africa Educates Her Angola continues to champion education and inclusion: because understanding difference is the first step toward building a society where no one is excluded because of how they think, learn, communicate, move, or experience the world.

 

 

Let us turn awareness into action.

This conversation connects directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals — particularly:

• SDG 3 — Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4 — Quality Education
• SDG 5 — Gender Equality
• SDG 10 — Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16 — Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• SDG 17 — Partnerships for the Goals

Happy 6th Anniversary, Africa Educates Her Angola!

Six years of education. Six years of empowerment. Six years of raising voices.

Together, let us build a more inclusive society — where every person is seen, heard, respected, and given the chance to thrive.

 

 

Strabismus: Condition or Disability?

 

Africa Educates Her 6th Anniversary

Greetings everyone, My name is Sofonie Dala, and I warmly welcome you to our outstanding program.

As we celebrate the 6th Anniversary of the Africa Educates Her Campaign in Angola, we cannot conclude without addressing the important theme of disabilities and access to education.

Today, we honor a girl named Dó, who first participated in our program in 2020 when she was just 10 years old. At that time, she was not enrolled in school, as she explained that financial difficulties prevented her education. She spent most of her days helping with household tasks.

 We are happy to launch our new campaign - "Still left behind: Inclusive education for disabled and illiterate girls" with Sofonie Dala

Click here to learn more:  https://she-leads.blogspot.com/2021/04/we-are-happy-to-launch-our-new-campaign.html

Dó was born with strabismus, a condition that affects eye alignment. She received no medical treatment to correct the problem, as a result complications remain. Strabismus may even be considered a visual disability if vision problems cannot be corrected with glasses or other measures.

Yet, let us be clear: children cannot be denied education due to lack of financial resources or disability. While it is understandable that poverty may limit access to medical care, it is unacceptable for it to prevent a child’s right to schooling.

Today, Dó is 16 years old. Though she looks younger than her age, we are delighted to know that she is finally enrolled in school and appears happy. Her journey reminds us that every child deserves the chance to learn, regardless of health conditions or financial barriers.

We congratulate Dó for her resilience and thank her for her participation in our campaign. She is a living testimony that education is a right, not a privilege.

 

 

🌱 Conclusion – Connection to the SDGs

As we celebrate the 6th Anniversary of the Africa Educates Her Campaign in Angola, we highlight the inspiring story of Do. Born with strabismus, she faced financial and social barriers that kept her out of school. At 10 years old, she was never enrolled, spending her days helping with household tasks.

Today, at 16, Do has finally been enrolled in school and shows joy in learning. Her journey reminds us that poverty or disability should never deny a child’s right to education.

 

Do’s story reinforces the global commitment that every child deserves education, regardless of disability or financial hardship. This aligns directly with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 4 – Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable education for all.

• SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being: Provide medical care and support for conditions like strabismus.

• SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: Address social and financial barriers that prevent children from studying.

• SDG 5 – Gender Equality: Promote equal opportunities for girls, especially in vulnerable contexts.

✨ Through Do’s resilience, we celebrate not only the 6 years of Africa Educates Her, but also the campaign’s real impact in ensuring that education is a universal right, not a privilege.

 

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✨ By celebrating six years of the campaign, we also celebrate the real impact in the lives of girls like Do, affirming that education is a universal and non-negotiable right.

 

 

 Between Education, Pregnancy, and Tradition -  A Mystery Driven by Love – The Case of the Girls in the Africa Educates Her Campaign

 Mistério Movido pelo Amor – O Caso das Meninas da Campanha Africa Educa Ela

• 🇵🇹 Entre Educação, Gravidez e Tradição

• 🇬🇧 Between Education, Pregnancy, and Tradition

 

🇵🇹 Discurso em Português

Saudações a todos! Eu sou a vossa CEO, fundadora e empreendedora. Hoje celebramos o sexto aniversário da campanha Africa Educa Ela, cujo objetivo é trazer de volta todas as meninas ao sistema educativo, principalmente durante e depois da pandemia da COVID‑19.

A pandemia passou, mas a vida continua. Estamos a fazer um follow‑up das nossas participantes para compreender os desafios que enfrentam. Muitos podem se perguntar: por que algumas meninas saíram do sistema após a pandemia? Em alguns casos, a razão foi a gravidez.

 

Temos dois estudos de caso: Márcia e Doroteia. Durante a adolescência conseguimos mantê‑las na escola e evitar a gravidez precoce. Hoje, já adultas, na faixa dos 20 anos, decidiram engravidar e casar segundo os costumes tradicionais. Não foram vítimas de gravidez precoce, mas de escolhas conscientes ligadas ao casamento e à maternidade.

No entanto, há casos diferentes, como o da Maria, que enfrentou duas gravidezes indesejadas e relacionamentos fracassados. Isso mostra que buscar apoio em novos parceiros nem sempre resolve os problemas. Muitas vezes, repete‑se o ciclo de dor e abandono.

 

Perguntas curiosas para reflexão:

• Por que algumas meninas engravidam mesmo participando de campanhas que previnem a gravidez precoce?

• Qual o papel da cultura e do casamento tradicional nessas decisões?

• Como apoiar meninas que enfrentam relacionamentos fracassados e gravidezes indesejadas?

 

🇬🇧 Speech in English

Greetings to all! I am your CEO, founder, and entrepreneur. Today we celebrate the sixth anniversary of the Africa Educates Her campaign, whose mission is to bring girls back into the education system, especially during and after the COVID‑19 pandemic.

The pandemic is over, but life goes on. We are now conducting a follow‑up with our participants to understand their current situations. Some may ask: why did certain girls leave the system after COVID‑19? In some cases, the reason was pregnancy.

We highlight two case studies: Márcia and Doroteia. As teenagers, they remained in school and avoided early pregnancy. Now, as young adults in their twenties, they chose to marry and have children. These were not cases of early pregnancy, but of adulthood decisions shaped by tradition and family expectations.

 

 

However, there are different stories, such as Maria’s, who faced two unwanted pregnancies and failed relationships. This shows that seeking support in new partners does not always solve problems. Often, the cycle of disappointment and abandonment repeats itself. 

 

Curious questions for reflection:

• Why do some girls become pregnant even while actively participating in campaigns against early pregnancy?

• What role does culture and traditional marriage play in these choices?

• How can we support girls facing unwanted pregnancies and failed relationships?

 

 

🔥 Countdown: 6 YEARS OF AFRICA EDUCATES HER - 6 Years of Resilience: From Survival to Strength

Six years after COVID-19 disrupted the lives and education of girls across Angola, Africa Educates Her returns to the stories of the women and girls who survived, persevered, and continue to rebuild their futures.

 

Follow-up with Campaign Participants

 

 Reports, Conclusion, and Progress of the Africa Educa Ela Campaign

MARIA DOMINGOS

Interview with Maria Domingos – Survivor of Teenage Pregnancy

Interviewer: Good afternoon.

Maria: Good afternoon.

Interviewer: How are you?

Maria: I’m fine, thank you.

Interviewer: What is your name?

Maria: My name is Maria Domingos.

Interviewer: Maria, you were with us a few years ago, at the beginning of the Africa Educa Ela campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic, and you told us that you had experienced teenage pregnancy. We would like to know how your academic life is going now, whether you have managed to recover, whether you have returned to school, whether you finished secondary school, how your baby is doing, and how your life is in general.

Maria: Well, I became a victim of teenage pregnancy at the age of 16, in 2016. Thank God, everything is going well on my side and on my baby’s side. After I had my baby, I was no longer able to finish secondary school. But I am taking care of my child, who is already quite grown up. He is 9 years old and is studying. He is here.

Interviewer: Oh, he is already quite grown up.

Maria: Yes, he has grown.

Interviewer: What grade is he in?

Maria: He passed into fourth grade. He is 9 years old.

Interviewer: Do you know how to read?

Child: Not yet.

Interviewer: Do you know how to write?

Child: Yes, I know how to write.

Interviewer: Can you already spell words?

Child: Yes, I can.

Interviewer: You are 9 years old?

Child: Yes.

Interviewer: And who is that baby?

Maria: He is my new baby. He is 2 years old. His name is Alberto.

Interviewer: Baby, look over there and say bye-bye.

Interviewer: And how is your academic life? Have you returned to school? What is preventing you from doing so?

Maria: At the moment, I have not returned to school. [laughs]

Interviewer: Why?

Maria: Due to a lack of resources.

Interviewer: Financial resources?

Maria: Yes. Because of a lack of financial resources, I cannot go back to school.

Interviewer: Did you stop during primary/basic education?

Maria: Yes.

Interviewer: What grade were you in when you stopped going to school?

Maria: I stopped in Grade 8.

Interviewer: So, teenage pregnancy and the lack of financial resources are the main factors preventing you from progressing academically?

Maria: Yes.

Interviewer: And are you still with the father of your child? The last time we spoke, you told us that he had denied the pregnancy.

Maria: Yes, he denied the pregnancy, and even now he does not acknowledge the child, who is already 9 years old. He does not provide any support.

Interviewer: Are you a single mother?

Maria: Yes.

Interviewer: And how is life with the new baby?

Maria: It is the same situation. Poor thing, I don’t know what my problem is. Maybe I am just unlucky, but the father of this child also does not want to take responsibility.

Interviewer: Did the father of this new baby also deny the pregnancy?

Maria: Yes, it is the same situation. But as a mother, I also struggle and work on my own.

Interviewer: So you are working only to support your two children, and you no longer have any time or resources for yourself?

Maria: No. I work to support my two children. There is nothing left for me.

Interviewer: Okay. Thank you very much. We will help you and work to improve this situation. Thank you very much for participating in the campaign from the beginning.

Maria: Thank you for giving me this opportunity.

 

 

GOING BACK IN TIME - MARIA AND HER FIRST INTERVIEW SEVERAL YEARS AGO

2020 

 

I dropped out of school due to teenage pregnancy.

Hello, My name is Maria Gomes, I'm 21 years old, I'm here to talk about my academic life.

Maria are you studying right now?

No.

When did you stop studying and how old were you at the time?

I stopped studying in the 7th grade in 2017, at the age of 18.

Why did you stop studying?

I stopped studying because I got pregnant. When I discovered the pregnancy I did not stop studying at that moment, I continued with my studies until November 2017, then I dropped out of school because of the pregnancy symptoms.

Are you married to the father of your child?

No. We broke up because he denied the pregnancy

Would you like to go back to school?

Yeah, I'd like to go back to school.

What are the reasons that prevent you from going back to study?

Lack of financial resources. I have no money to pay my tuition.

How has the coronavirus affected you?

I used to work, but after the emergence of the pandemic my boss asked me to stay home. Also things in this period are very expensive and have made life very difficult, we had no way to eat at home, I am not working.

How have you been supporting your son?

My 35-year-old older sister has been helping me with the expenses. In general, I support my son alone without his father's help.

How old is your son?

My son is now 3 years old.

Girls and young women’s access, retention and completion in schools is still of huge concern in Africa. Our continent also has the highest rate of out of school children and adolescents globally. However, girls remain more likely to be permanently excluded from education and at a higher risk of being left behind.

Click this link to learn more about Maria: https://sofoniedala.blogspot.com/2020/12/africa-educates-her-campaign-angola_24.html

 

 

 

 

Six Years of Impact – Always Victorious

We are proud to mark six years of dedicated work. We stand as Africa’s number one, proving that once winners, we remain winners forever.

They may have stolen our prize, but they could never steal our honor. Money can be earned again, but integrity cannot be taken away. Others used dishonest methods to claim glory, yet it was our hands, our effort, and our sacrifice that built this success.

In 2022, many gave up. But we never abandoned the mission — we remained strong, united, and present in full force. Today, we celebrate not only our achievements but also our perseverance.

We are also celebrating International Youth Day, because we are all young at heart, sharing common aspirations regardless of race, color, or origin — whether African, American, or European. We all desire the same things: dignity, opportunity, and a future filled with hope.

Youth is not defined by age alone — it is a spirit that can last a lifetime, even up to 100 years. And together, we carry that spirit forward.

 

🎬 Inspiring Invitation – Then & Now

We warmly invite you to join us for a special movie screening that celebrates the journey of our past participants.

In this film, you will see them dancing, singing, and shining with joy. Some have become mothers and embraced traditional marriages. Others, who once faced severe financial hardship, have now proudly completed high school.

This is more than entertainment — it is a testimony of growth, resilience, and transformation. We are delighted to witness them becoming wiser, happier, and stronger.

Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 4 – Quality Education: ensuring every child has the chance to learn.

• SDG 5 – Gender Equality: empowering young women to thrive.

• SDG 8 – Decent Work & Economic Growth: overcoming hardship through opportunity.

• SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: celebrating diversity and inclusion.

This movie is a living proof that dreams can be restored, lives can be rebuilt, and communities can flourish.

 Join our dedicated channel: https://she-leads.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

https://africa-educates-her-angola-first-edit.netlify.app/

🌍 Invitation to Celebrate the 6th Anniversary of Africa Educates Her Campaign – Angola

Dear Friends,

As we prepare to finally celebrate the 6th Anniversary of the Africa Educates Her Campaign in Angola, we are honored to reflect on a journey that began in 2020 when Sofonie Dala was officially elected as one of the five ambassadors across the African continents. Six years later, she has not only upheld her title but has also gained worldwide recognition as a global champion.

 

To prove her unwavering commitment, Sofonie is delighted to share a working prototype of an electronic archive, documenting every campaign conducted in Angola — from the first testers in August 2020 to the official launch in September 2020.

For the first time, we will furnish you with the original reports of our first editions (2020–2021), alongside some of our most recent documentaries. Over the past six years, we have consistently recorded campaigns from 2020 through 2026, building a legacy of resilience and impact.

 

We are currently developing our official website and will soon celebrate this milestone with all of you. In the meantime, please explore this preview and pay close attention to the fear in the eyes of our future generation, deeply marked by the emotional toll of COVID-19.

Together, let us honor the past, embrace the present, and shape a brighter future for Africa’s daughters.

 

🌍 Conclusion – Advancing the SDGs Together

Over the past six years, immense dedication has gone into the Africa Educates Her Campaign. Energy, time, and financial resources have been invested to ensure its success. Our work has directly advanced the SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 5: Gender Equality, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, while building strong SDG 17: Partnerships across communities.

Yet, despite these achievements, our awards remain pending. Recognition has been delayed, but our mission continues with unwavering strength.

If you believe this campaign is worthy of recognition, Sofonie Dala will be delighted to receive your support. Your donations and gifts are vital to sustain our work and to make education accessible and equitable in every corner of the world.

👉 Sponsor one girl today — and together, let us transform fear into hope, and ensure that every child has the chance to learn, grow, and thrive.

With gratitude and anticipation,  

Africa Educates Her – Angola Team