Jan 13, 2026 |
The ocean has always been close to my heart, but I never imagined it could become my classroom and my purpose. Watching and assisting my instructors when I was still a student inspired me to be an instructor. The opportunity to teach diving and about the oceans to others really makes me happy. This joy, of learning and sharing, is what drives me every day.
I was 17 years old when I started diving and five years later I passed my Instructor course, and became the second Mozambican woman dive instructor and the first one in active status to teach at the time. Ssomething I had never dreamed of before.
It was not easy. My journey as a Mozambican woman in the diving industry was very challenging. Diving is an industry mostly dominated by men, and learning the skills of diving itself was difficult. Many people asked me “why?”, to which I always replied, “why not?”.
Entering the world of diving as a Mozambican woman was very challenging, because I had to learn how to swim and to speak English. Many Mozambicans, especially women, don’t know how to swim. I had to master swimming through practices in a pool and then in the ocean and only then I could start diving. But every challenge made me stronger.
Leading scientific dives is one of the most rewarding parts of my work because I help with collecting data underwater and on the surface, leading surveys and data processing and analyses.
The ocean teaches us lessons that cannot be learned anywhere else. Talking about our experiences, the intriguing and amazing moments we get to spend underwater inspires me and everyone who joins us to care for the sea. It’s really wonderful down there!
And I really want to invite more Mozambicans, particularly young girls because it matters. Having more African women involved in marine science and diving helps take more scientific findings into the communities. By having more women will encourage more young women who may never have imagined themselves in these roles.
I hope that more Mozambicans will see that the ocean is not just a place to visit, it’s a world to protect.
Some moments stay in my heart forever. The day I saw a group of Humpback whales while scuba diving is one I will never forget. The unexpected encounter lasted for few minutes but it felt like forever. Experiences like this remind us why conservation is so important, the ocean is full of life that we must cherish.
Diving teaches more than skills. In this experience you learn the technical side of it, but you also learn powerful lessons about the ocean, the marine environment and ecosystem, the negative and positive impacts. By experiencing the ocean directly, we gain a passion to protect it, and this is what Mozambicans can do too.
To young Mozambican girls and boys dreaming of the ocean I want to tell you it takes a lot of patience, dedication, and hard work to reach what you want. Never thought I would be here today, all the failures, the challenges and the accomplishments made who I am today. With perseverance and belief, you can achieve all your goals.
The ocean is part of Mozambique’s soul. If we love it, study it, and protect it, it will continue to give life, beauty, and hope for generations to come.
I hope to see you down there, looking into our common future!
