Changed Lives: Estevão

When Estevão first came to the attention of Egmont Partner, Meninos, he had been living on the streets of Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, for five years.

Poverty, lack of access to education, and destabilising family changes push vulnerable children to the streets. Mozambique has one of the highest AIDS-related death rates
in the world, leaving many children orphaned and forcing them to survive alone in Maputo, the capital.

Estevão’s journey to the street began at eight when his father died, leaving his mother to care for Estevão and his younger brothers. She met another man and moved in with him, but Estevão and his siblings were mistreated and went to live with their grandparents. Estevão attended school for a few years but dropped out at 11 when his grandmother couldn’t afford the fees. He helped her sell eucalyptus leaves around Maputo. There, he met street children who seemed to live freely, and decided to join them.

“Life on the street was difficult,” remembers Estavao. “I was physically attacked by the older members of the group. We lived in improvised shelters made of cardboard or plastic and in the rubble of abandoned houses. In the winter I was very cold. We were always moving from one place to another in search of a little security. I ate leftover food from garbage containers or sometimes I asked for alms at traffic lights.”

Estevão first came across Meninos when he met one of their outreach workers – called Educators - during one of their daily outreaches.

Meninos rescues young people from the streets of Maputo and reintegrates them into their families and communities. Educators visit street children daily, run activities, and provide free healthcare and washing facilities at their drop-in centre. They build trust over time, discussing the possibility of moving off the streets and sharing key information about health, HIV, family planning, domestic violence, and child protection.

As Estevão got to know the Educators, he was invited to visit Meninos’ centre for activities, HIV & AIDS sessions, and daily showers. Meninos staff talked to him about returning to his grandparents, and with the help of his grandfather and aunt, Estevão was welcomed back into family life. Meninos supported him to establish a small business, reducing the chances of his return to the street.

He now runs a stall on the main Street into Maputo, selling a range of items including snacks and household items like matches and candles to workers and local residents. It has become a family business and Estevão uses his profits to buy food to support his family.

Spurred on by all that he has been able to achieve with Meninos' support, Estevão is looking forward to a bright future.