In Maganja da Costa, Mozambique, 13-year-old Aladina Zacarias Gomes begins her long walk to school just after sunrise. The path is familiar but not easy – 10 kilometers each way.

Each step reflects her unwavering commitment to learning, even after experiencing one of the worst storms to hit the region in recent memory.

In early 2023, Cyclone Freddy tore through her district, destroying homes, schools and livelihoods. “Our house fell apart completely,” Aladina recalls. Her former school, Escola Primária de Inlima, was left badly damaged. “When it rained, water entered our classroom.”

In the aftermath, GPE teamed up with the World Bank and UNICEF to document the impact of the cyclone – and the resilience of those most affected, including Aladina.

Two years later, we returned to see how she and her community are rebuilding, supported by recovery efforts led by the Government in partnership with GPE and UNICEF.

Starting over

At just 13, Aladina speaks with a maturity shaped by adversity. “We had to leave everything behind. I missed my friends. I missed my teachers,” she says. “But we had no choice.”

After their home was flattened in the cyclone, Aladina’s family relocated to higher ground. “Our new home is safe from floods,” she explains.

But moving meant starting over – new community, new school, new challenges. “At first, I was nervous. Everything was different. I had to walk much farther, and I did not know anyone.”

Regina Verde Vidro, Director of Escola Básica de Alto-Mutola, remembers the transition well. “After the cyclone, we welcomed 117 new students. It was a challenge, but one we accepted. Every child needs a space to learn.”

Each week day, Aladina walks the two hours to school, rain or shine. “When it rains, I get soaked. Sometimes I arrive late. But I still go,” she says. She shows her notebook –worn and used for three different subjects.

Despite everything, she holds tightly to her dream. “I want to be a teacher. I want to help children, like my teachers helped me.”

“Aladina was shy, but always eager to learn,” says Nenucha Paiva Jaime, her former teacher in Inlima, now also at Alto-Mutola. “Here, many students struggle to express themselves in Portuguese, but she pushes herself. She really wants to succeed.”

A community rebuilds after destruction

Back in Inlima, the days that followed the cyclone were marked by silence, destruction and uncertainty.

Gradually, recovery began as the community stepped up to get children back to school.

“When I entered the tent classroom for the first time, I felt emotional,” remembers Valis João Holandesa, a teacher at the school. “I did not expect us to have a dignified learning space so soon. But there we were, back together, teaching and learning.”

Working in partnership to keep education going

With support from GPE and UNICEF, schools across affected regions were able to reopen and recover, creating a sense of normalcy and giving hope to children and their communities.

“Their support came at the right time,” says Director Regina. “We still need more classrooms and materials, but our children feel safe again.”

“I am grateful for the kit I received. It helps me study. I hope other children can get the same chance I did,” says Aladina.

As the sun climbs higher in the sky, Aladina arrives at school. Her backpack may be light, but it carries her hopes. “Even with all these challenges, I will not stop,” she says. “I have a dream.”

Her story is not one of tragedy; it is a story of determination. A student who walks for hours, studies with limited resources, and believes she can one day teach the next generation.