The Struggle for an Education

In June of 2025, Franciscan Missions launched an initiative to stock the library of São Francisco de Assis Secondary School in Mocumbi, Mozambique with books and teaching materials. The friars working in the community are deeply committed to education and social development, and they wanted to improve the students’ quality of education.

São Francisco de Assis Secondary School is located in a region characterized by significant social and economic challenges. Many families in the community face financial hardship and limited access to quality education. Public schools like São Francisco de Assis often lack adequate resources, resulting in libraries with limited and outdated collections.

An Abundance of Knowledge

Through this initiative, the library’s shelves were enriched with up-to-date and diverse books that complemented the students’ learning and encouraged a culture of reading. The school received dictionaries, encyclopedias, literature, and curriculum-aligned textbooks, providing the students with the proper tools for a great educational experience.

Teachers also benefitted with access to teaching materials that would assist them in lesson planning and implementing pedagogical activities.

A Perpetual Gift for the Community

Once the library was overflowing with materials, the Franciscan friars organized activities to promote reading and to excite the students about research. Teachers were trained to effectively utilize the new materials in their classes. The project was an opportunity to evangelize in the community and establish better educational opportunities for girls in order to combat premature marriage and pregnancy.

Thanks to the work of Franciscan friars, São Francisco de Assis school library will foster an environment of continuous learning for years to come.