I remember the school desks we had in primary school. They could be opened and used for storing books, pens and those colourful erasers that smelled nice. We would all fasten pictures and drawings on the inside of our desk to make it more personal – it was our own sacred little space in school.

A school desk fills more functions than being comfortable and helping to keep order by giving every child their designated space to sit in in the classroom. A school desk is of huge support when learning how to write. The hard surface, the position of the hands – remember how ugly those first A’s of yours were and how difficult it was to write them? Now imagine if you had to lay down on the cold ground or dirty sand with a soggy notebook on top of your backpack while learning this so valuable skill.

Ideally, there would be school desks for all children, but there are many reasons to why this is not the case, poverty being the main one.

So if you need to choose, you to make sure that at least all first and second graders get access to school desks. And that’s what UNICEF is doing in the Child Friendly Schools initiative.

Because just as I would take my school desk for granted when I was a kid, it is indeed an essential tool. For supporting the children in learning how to write, and for their growing backs to stay heathy.

The photo above is from a school I visited today in Gaza. I can’t wait to show you more photos.

I just came back to Maputo after another four days in the field, by the way. Again, completely exhausted and overwhelmed with impressions – I absolutely adore this job.

I can’t write anything here without mentioning the 17 year old girl I just met. She takes care of her younger siblings all by herself and is determined to finish school and become a nurse. Keeping orphan children in school here is not easy, but the four siblings all study and they all have dreams, and I’m trying hard not to be too sentimental but that little family made me keep my breath.

The photo above is of a girl I met earlier today while talking to some children that also go to a school here in Chibuto.

The interactive part of today’s work has just ended and we’re on our way back to that guesthouse off the grid where I will try to compile all my impressions and chaotic notes in English, Portuguese and Shangana into stories I can actually share.

So it seems I will be staying in a place where I’m off the grid. That’s less nightly blogs for you and more sleep and isolation for me. Now we’re going to a place where we can find food so I might have network at some point to publish this. Here’s a photo of the big car with the antenna again, and a glimpse of the driver.

I’m in the midst of deciding whether to go to Europe for a week or not, it’s a very expensive and complicated trip but my contract with UNICEF got extended so if I don’t go now I won’t be able to go before sometime in December. What do you say?

On our way out to the field again. Only a couple of hours away this time so we have our own transport – and a very big UN antenna.

Just came back to Maputo after five days in the field, but I will only be staying for one day. This Saturday night is thus dedicated to recharging my energy, eating chocolate and washing clothes. Tomorrow I have to run shopping for some of the things I had stolen from my luggage. (My razor, seriously?) On Monday morning we leave again, this time to Gaza province. No big trees over there unfortunately, but I’m quite convinced there will be more big impressions.

Here’s a Baobab tree in Tete.

And here’s what my iPod just very suitably played for me, by the way. It’s from one of my favourite albums ever, one of those that I sleep to and that make my mind float. Only have a listen if you’re also staying in tonight, don’t hold me responsible if it suddenly puts you in a state of awe and tranquility. Boa noite.

Jonsi & Alex – All the Big Trees
Riceboy Sleeps (2009)

I’m in Tete, the capital of the province with the same name. It is known for being very rich in minerals, for it’s booming economy and for the presence of the Brazilian mining company that many choose to refer to as evil.

So, because of the presence of this certain business, and the very rich visitors and expensive consultants it continuously receives, the hotel prices in Tete suddenly boomed to numbers completely out of proportion to the rest of the country. We’re talking at least 200€ for a night in a single room. In a city that really doesn’t have anything to offer other than business.

So, we are staying a bit outside, in a place where one pays 60€ for a private igloo-like house. And I love it. It’s exactly what I needed after four days of running around in Shangara with kids pulling my hair, tons of sand in my eyes, mosquito horrors, nothing but xima with chicken to eat and one of the most uncomfortable beds I have ever slept in.

I am taking the flight back to Maputo tomorrow afternoon and decided that I will take the evening off tonight. So after spoiling myself with a long shower and some really good food in a restaurant overlooking the river, I found myself in the WFP compound where I met friends I had only emailed with so far, and a very charismatic Chilean woman who also works for the UNICEF and who I met on my first night in Changara. It’s such a shame when great people are hidden like this in the middle of nowhere. Come to Maputo!

Tomorrow I will continue working. Wait, what? It’s already Friday? Weekends don’t exist in the field, especially not when you’re doing something you’re enjoying. Frankly, I can’t wait to get back to my computer, but I deserve this sleep and I really deserved that perfect fish fillet. Yum.

The days start very early and end late in Changara. I have been running around from school to school, noting down a million thoughts, dreams and names in my little notebook. Other than that, I have been touched by the stories of young people, watched an important theatre show, and filled half of my 16GB SD card with photos. My little obsession with having order in my files definitely pays off in moments like this.

I get so happy when work is intense like this. It suddenly feels much more meaningful than when sitting in an office. Also, I have during this short time learnt far more about the work of UNICEF and the situation in Mozambique than I ever could have in the office. Changara district in Tete province is one of the poorest in Mozambique. This place takes poverty beyond what I have seen of poverty before.

I will tell you more about Changara, the Child Friendly Schools initiative and my work with the UNICEF at some other point. Now, I’ll do just a little bit more of writing and then use my headphones and some Brian Eno to block out the loud party outside of my window. I have to make sure I get some sleep. Another long and intense day tomorrow.

Anyway, here’s my tired face for you. Boa noite!