Sablina is one of eight orphaned and vulnerable children living together with their elderly aunt in Naunde, a rural and remote village in Northern Mozambique. Sablina, Dade, Bai, Atubo, Afusa, Fatima, Atibu and Muateleni are siblings and cousins. Their mothers passed away from a similar undiagnosed illness, most likely to be HIV/AIDS. With the exception of Abudo, whose father died in 2004, the children’s fathers are living but have abandoned the children after remarrying or moving to other villages. With little income and so many mouths to feed, both financial and food security are a serious problem for Sablina and his family.
Despite being only thirteen years old, Sablina is the eldest in the family and must help his aunt to look after the others, including three year old Muateleni who misses his parents terribly. Sablina loves school and would like to be a doctor one day. Sadly, his responsibilities are affecting his education as he can’t attend school everyday and finds it hard to concentrate. Sablina has already missed out on much of his childhood. With assistance from Global Angels, however, he and other children in a similar situation are now receiving the support they need.
