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Isabel's Commitment Towards Community Integration on Ibo Island, Mozambique
Isabel set foot on the shores of Ibo Island in the Quirimbas Archipelago 17 years ago. Her journey began with a mission to work with a Non-Governmental Organization, to offer professional training to the community targeting the increasing tourist influx in the Quirimbas. Later, she ventured into her own entrepreneurial project within the tourism industry —a guest house and a sewing and handicrafts atelier to showcase and sell the region's crafts.
"The creation of crafts is a meeting point between cultures, enabling the expansion and celebration of customs and cultures from such a rich region as Cabo Delgado. There's also significant interaction to tailor local products to the foreign markets."
Initially, her venture prospered, enriching the community not only economically, but also with training and education. However, the onset of conflict in 2017 and the subsequent global pandemic abruptly halted the thriving tourism industry.
"Staying in Ibo despite all the challenges over these years and persevering with the atelier has contributed to my integration into the community. The initial years proved tough due to the cultural reservation toward outsiders. However, having weathered these adversities collectively, I am now embraced as one of their own," Isabel recounted.
Despite the adversity, Isabel found a deeper connection within the community, intertwining her passion for crafting and the local traditions. She discovered that resilience and adaptation were not just survival tools but also bridges connecting diverse cultures and communities. Through her work and experiences, she became an integral part of the Ibo Island community.
"In Mozambique, I've learned to adapt to any circumstance, accept whatever comes my way, and glean something valuable from it."
