My name is Domingos Gaspar, and I come from a distant district, where I lived with my brothers. In search of better opportunities, I decided to move to the city, but what I found here was a daily struggle. I went through many battles and searched tirelessly for work, until I finally managed to get a job with a security company. However, the salary of 5,000 meticais that I receive is not enough to cover my expenses. I have a house to pay for and, in addition, I need to help my family who still live in the district. The reality is hard, and because of the little money, I use my days off to try to find work in other companies.
Here, I am called “the helper,” but this title actually hides the suffering and exhaustion of carrying 25 or 50-kilo sacks of rice or fertilizer, often on my head. I organize this hard work in warehouses, and it’s not easy. Each person carries three to five sacks, and for each sack, we receive only 1 metical – an amount so low it doesn’t even reach 1 dollar. At the end of the day, with a lot of effort, we manage to leave with about 150 meticais, which is just over 2 dollars.
I am exhausted. My body aches, and sometimes I wonder if God exists, because the suffering only grows every day. Many people think that living in the city means an easier life, but the reality is very different. Few people actually have real wealth here, while foreigners with large investments live much better than we, the natives. We, the workers, cannot complain because we only want what is fair: a decent job with pay that reflects our effort.
I heard about an opportunity for help through Brother Pinto, who explained how it works. That’s why I decided to share my story, hoping that someone can help me, just as many others facing the same struggle. We are tired, and it’s not just me, but many others around us. We urgently need decent jobs that recognize our effort and pay us fairly.
I am available, and what I ask for is just an opportunity to live with more dignity, without further suffering and exploitation. Mozambique, like the rest of Africa, is being attacked by hunger and corruption, and those who have nothing continue to get even poorer. I see people fighting to enter companies where they carry sacks in exchange for misery. It’s not because they want to, but because they have families to care for. We need these scraps because we have no other option.
Brother Pinto told me about several projects he wants to implement to help people here, and I am willing to contribute in any way I can. Until now, I haven’t eaten anything, and there is almost nothing left in the house. We are waiting for a salary that I don’t even know if we will get this month due to payment issues. I ask that you help us,