Elizabeth Afonso Gonga follows a strict weekday routine. She starts her day at 7:00 a.m. by arriving at the KM-30 market in Luanda. After setting up her stall with goods like beans, rice, and peanuts for sale, she attends adult education classes from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Her colleague Joana Domingos takes care of her stall during this time, and Elizabeth returns the favor while Joana attends her own class from 9:45 to 11:15 a.m.
The KM-30 market is the largest hub for agricultural products in Angola, covering 1.9 million sqm with seven pavilions and around 3,500 registered traders. It receives daily shipments of food items from the countryside, including vegetables, fruits, meats, and poultry.
Many of the traders at the market are women who lack formal education due to various reasons, contributing to Angola’s 24% illiteracy rate. To combat this, the Angola Ministry of Education has expanded the second-chance education program under the Girls Empowerment and Learning for All Project, providing education for out-of-school individuals aged 15 and older.
Second-chance education classes have been set up in various locations across Angola, including markets like KM-30, to empower women like Elizabeth and Joana. These classes offer literacy skills and basic arithmetic, essential for making informed decisions in their businesses and daily lives.
Elizabeth shares her ambition of becoming a midwife through education, while 73-year-old Juliana attends classes to better educate her grandchildren and read religious texts. Both women serve as inspirations to others and advocates for women’s education at the KM-30 market.
Former adult-education students are now teachers in these classes, showcasing the impact and success of the program. Director Evaristo Pedro recognizes the importance of providing education to women at the market, acknowledging their commitment to learning despite challenges.
Ultimately, the goal is to ensure education for all women in Angola, empowering them with the knowledge and skills needed for a brighter future.