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Laurinda Macuácua: A successful woman in industry
8:59 CAT | 02 Mar 2020
Photo: Supplied
For Laurinda Melita Macuácua, becoming a qualified welder has been a journey of doing more than simply defying gender stereotypes – the young Mozambican woman is following her dream and finding her unique place within industry.
Since joining the Beluluane JOBA Internship Programme in June 2019, she has managed to get the theoretical and practical experience to secure a stable and permanent job within one of the park’s companies, Dendustri. Beluluane JOBA promotes the development of skills and the employment of young Mozambicans – especially women – and connects employers to trainees ready for the job market. Dendustri has participated in the programme since its inception and has taken on 6 interns.
Laurinda completed the initial three months internship and extended her work experience until she was permanently employed. She started working as a mechanical locksmith and also within the workshop and cleaning teams, before being promoted to welding quality inspector. Dendustri company specialises in anodes fabrication, supply and maintenance and is a supplier to Mozal.
Commenting on her experience thus far, Laurinda said: “I am learning a lot, but more importantly, I feel that I am welcomed in a predominantly male working environment by my colleagues who are now like brothers to me.”
Dendustri General Manager, Manuel de Morais, noticed that Laurinda had a keen eye for detail. “She is a bright young person with theoretical and practical welding experience. What impressed me most is that she is multi-skilled. I immediately recognised the opportunity for us to play to her strengths by offering her in a role in quality assurance.”
De Morais emphasised that his business is now benefitting from a new team dynamic brought by Laurinda. He has high hopes for her developing career as a QA Officer.
The future is looking bright as Laurinda did not have any previous work experience. The internship programme has resulted in her first job and significant career advances. She adds: “I have always been very interested in the work done traditionally by men. When I see people welding, I feel happy. Among them I work as a man. I have not encountered any obstacles that would make me feel inferior in any way. Woman I am outside, here I’m a man. All my expectations were fulfilled when I came here.”
When she initially told her family that she wanted to work as a Mechanical Locksmith, they immediately opposed her choice. “You are a woman!” – they argued. But Laurinda has always dreamt of working in industry and has overcome prejudice with her persistence and commitment. “In my neighbourhood, there is a man who is a locksmith and I always went there to learn from him on the sly, after doing my school homework”, she confesses.
“When you are passionate about what you are doing, you learn a lot. When I wake up and know that I am going to work at Dendustri, I am very happy because I am going to do something I really like.”
The stipend from the Beluluane JOBA programme and consequent appointment at Dendustri has allowed Laurinda to gain financial independence. She signed her employment contract on the 1st of May (coinciding with World Labour Day) and with her first salary she bought medicine that her mother desperately needed. She is now able to pay her son’s school fees, as well as instalments for the purchase of land in Txonissa. Laurinda is planning to build a house on this land.
When asked where she sees herself in five years, Laurinda replies: “I see myself doing what I love as a great welder, with future prospects and a happy family.”
The Beluluane JOBA Internship Programme is funded by UK Aid.
Source: JOBA / Press Release
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