Joaquina Rodriguês: A sense of pride, “Yes I can!”
Joaquina Rodriguês is from Mozambique. She is a Project Associate with UNESCO She has Albinism, and when asked what advice she would give others with disabilities who are interested in volunteering for the United Nations, she says, “Keep trying because there is room for us in the UN System”.
With over a decade of advocacy for the rights of those facing discrimination, Joaquina’s passion to make a difference is what drives her.
In Joaquina’s assignment, the most touching and poignant experience occurred as she was directly implicated in the fight against the discrimination of young people with Albinism. During a visit to a rural and remote area of Zambeze Province, Joaquina met children and young people with Albinism who had been shunned from schools and opportunities to play with other children, as they were seen as cursed or even monstrous.
Joaquina and her team set out on a mission to provide the rural area’s education sector with knowledge of Albinism. They engaged in heartfelt and productive discussions with the local community and religious leaders and persuaded them to integrate knowledge on Albinism and human rights in the daily lesson plans.
Months later, Joaquina came to know that most of the children that she had met were enrolled in schools, and there had been a noticeable change in behaviour within the community.
Joaquina felt a sense of pride, a feeling of recognition that she had contributed to a positive impact on the people and communities with which she engages.
Joaquina’s desire to gain unmatched professional and life experiences had initially motivated her to join the United Nations. She also wanted to enhance the work she had previously carried out, in promoting the human rights of the LGBTQ+ community and highlighting challenges of sex workers.
In her role with UNESCO, she supported the Programme Officer and Sector Lead in stakeholder conversations. She was also involved on practical methods and approaches to ensure disability inclusion and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities.
Furthermore, Joaquina actively disseminated communication and information about the multi-dimensional, multi-sectoral project in support of the National Action Plan for Albinism. This sparked a sense of accomplishment that she was able to do good for others and the community.
Joaquina feels that with the support of her colleagues, her disability has not been a barrier. Her colleagues motivated her as they minimized issues related to Albinism that would affect her assignment and were eager to learn more about her disability to better understand her.
She learnt important workplace skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, project planning, task management, and organization.
Yes, I can! Joaquina Rodriguês’s UN Volunteer assignment empowers her.
Joaquina’s tireless determination to make a difference and transform the world around her, motivates us to do the same.
This article was produced with the kind support of Online Volunteer Abbey Gibson. Find out more on how to volunteer online or engage Online Volunteers.
