Angola
The “4ANMU Angola” project was launched in 2003 thanks to a partnership between AFN and the nonprofit association “Obra de Maria-Movimento dos Focolares”, who founded the Children’s Center in 2002 Pequena Chama – CIPC, where the project is being carried out. Located on Mussulo Island, south of Luanda, the center primarily serves the local community, which consists mainly of vulnerable families with low incomes and low literacy rates. Its goal is to improve community services for the care, protection, and development of children through educational initiatives.
In fact, the CIPC includes a preschool and an after-school program for children in grades 1 through 4, and offers vocational training courses for teenagers and adults.
DEFINITION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CONTEXT
The Republic of Angola gained independence in 1975 after four centuries of Portuguese colonial rule. For many years it remained the scene of a proxy conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union, which fuelled a civil war lasting until 2002. Although Angola is one of the world’s leading oil and diamond producers and possesses significant deposits of gold, iron, copper and uranium, the country has experienced considerable economic instability over the past decade. Following a pre-pandemic recession and a severe contraction during COVID-19, recovery has been slow. Since 2024–2025, economic reforms and strategic infrastructure investments have supported growth of between 3% and 5%, making Angola the third-largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nevertheless, the economy remains heavily dependent on oil, which accounts for approximately 28% of GDP and 95% of exports. This has resulted in highly unequal growth, limited job creation and persistent poverty. Youth unemployment stands at around 50%; approximately 57% of the population lives on less than USD 4.20 per day, while more than 54% of Angolans experience multiple deprivations in health, education and basic services. Children are among the most affected, with 47% of those under five suffering from chronic malnutrition. In Mussulo, inadequate infrastructure further restricts access to water, electricity and essential services.
GEOGRAPHIC POSITION
Located on the west coast of Southern Africa, Angola is the seventh-largest country on the continent and has a population of approximately 39 million people, including around 8 million in the capital, Luanda. With a Human Development Index of 0.61, Angola ranks
148th out of 193 countries. Healthcare services face major structural challenges, particularly in maternal and child health; access to education remains limited; and the extractive economic model continues to widen social inequalities. Mussulo, a peninsula formed by sediments from the Cuanza River, is home to approximately 15,000 people, many of whom fled the civil war. Employment is concentrated in fishing, domestic work and tourism. Access to electricity, safe drinking water and public schools remains inadequate.
COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE OF THE PROJECT
The project operates within the Centro Infantil Pequena Chama, a 197-square-metre facility owned by Obra de Maria and located in Mussulo. The centre includes three classrooms, a staff room, a kitchen, two bathrooms and a storage area.
The project team consists of 12 staff members: one director, one sponsorship coordinator, six educators, one cook, one maintenance worker and two security guards, supported by a variable number of volunteers
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES IMPLEMENTED
- Preschool education (ages 3–5)
- After-school support for primary school pupils (Grades 1–4)
- Teacher training and professional development
- Provision of two meals per day for preschool children
- Parenting seminars for families
- Home monitoring visits
- Celebration of holidays and community events
BENEFICIARIES
The project supports 124 children between the ages of 3 and 8, together with their families, through project sponsorship.
ACTIONS
- Support for the project
ongoing support for educational, training, healthcare and nutritional programmes benefiting all children and families involved in the AFN project.
- Donations
voluntary contributions of any amount to support the same educational, training, healthcare and nutritional programmes.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
- Support for the project. Please contact the coordinators in your country to confirm the annual amount and payment details.
Reason of payment “New Support to Angola Project” and in subsequent payments
“renewal of support Angola Project”
- Donazioni – Reason of Payment “Donation to Angola Project”