Casting Nets of Hope – Childhood Dreams in an Ocean of Struggle

Where forbidden nets meet hungry waves, a child’s fight for survival collides with the world’s duty to protect both people and the sea.

I went for a walk on Luanda Island and came across amateur fishermen, probably engaged in prohibited fishing just to survive. I then met a 10‑year‑old child, out of school, who has never studied, spending his days on the island fishing to bring money home. The conversation was profound—impressive and painful at the same time.

It raises a powerful theme: childhood wealth or poverty? It speaks of social injustice and ties directly to the SDGs.

The boy told me:

• “Those women are the ones who buy. And what are you doing?”

• “I’m waiting for them to leave so I can act. I’m working with my older friend.”

• “Did you buy anything?”

• “No.”

• “Since morning, you haven’t caught anything?”

• “Not yet.”

• “Isn’t there a single fish that’s yours?”

• “No.”

• “Look, so many fish, they’re already big.”

Behind me was a white bird, almost like a flamingo. I asked if he could see it.

• “You’re waiting for the women to leave—are they your mothers?”

• “No.”

• “If they don’t leave, you don’t fish and you don’t sell?”

• “Yes.”

• “Your leg is wet, did you go into the sea?”

• “Yes.”

• “When you catch fish, how much do you sell them for?”

• “A cacusso is 2,500 kwanzas.”

• “Do you catch big fish?”

• “Yes.”

• “And people buy them?”

• “Yes.”

• “Do you know how to swim?”

• “Yes.”

• “How old are you?”

• “I’m 10.”

• “You don’t steal, do you?”

• “No, I don’t steal.”

• “Where are your parents?”

• “At home.”

• “Do they work?”

• “Yes.”

• “And you’re the one who comes to fish and sell?”

• “Yes.”

• “Why didn’t they put you in school?”

• “Because my father doesn’t have money yet.”

• “Have you ever been to school?”

• “No.”

• “Never enrolled?”

• “No.”

• “At 10 years old, you’ve never studied?”

• “No.”

• “So you don’t know how to read or write?”

• “No.”

• “Don’t you want to study?”

• “I would like to. But here on the street, a man and a woman come to give us lessons, and before they leave, they also give us food.”

I told him: “Okay, that’s good. But I would also like to see a fish of yours someday.”

This story is a living example of the intersection between poverty (SDG 1), quality education (SDG 4), decent work (SDG 8), and life below water (SDG 14). It shows how survival needs collide with sustainability, and how children are forced into adult responsibilities instead of enjoying their right to learn and grow.