Maria do Carmo Ascensão in Cape Verde

"My name is Maria do Carmo Ascensão, I'm 22 years old and I'm currently studying for a Masters in Management at CATÓLICA-LISBON. Since the beginning of my academic journey, I have always felt a deep desire to combine my management training with social impact projects."

"Missão País, a Catholic project that aims to bring Jesus to universities and evangelise Portugal through the witness of faith, service and charity, has been a fundamental part of this journey. Through University Missions, students have the opportunity to experience and share the joy of Christ, inspiring generations to live the Catholic faith on mission.

So organising the Missão Morabeza in Cape Verde was a challenge I embraced with great enthusiasm. It was a life-changing experience. The Cape Verdean people, with their simple and genuine joy, taught me valuable lessons in resilience and humility. Despite material limitations, the local community lives with a contagious happiness that is reflected in the way they relate to each other and to the world.

This experience in Cape Verde gave me a new perspective on the importance of human relationships and generosity. Every day I was shown that the true meaning of service to one's neighbour lies in giving oneself with love and dedication, something that resonated with me throughout the mission. St Ignatius of Loyola's phrase, "in everything love and serve", was the motto of this mission, and witnessing it in action was gratifying.

The Missão Morabeza gave me a richer and more diverse cultural and human dimension than any other mission I've ever done. Being outside Portugal, in a completely different reality, forced me to leave my comfort zone and adapt to new ways of living. This experience has broadened my horizons, allowing me to better understand the difficulties and joys of a community with fewer resources, but with extraordinary human wealth.

I returned to Portugal with a renewed commitment to continue my mission of evangelisation and to integrate the values of service and charity into my personal and professional life. This experience in Cape Verde not only strengthened my faith, but also gave me a deeper understanding of the impact we can have on the lives of others and that the lives of others also have on ours.

The experience in Cape Verde was a unique one, reminding me daily of the transforming power of faith and service. The joy and simplicity of the Cape Verdean people will be a constant inspiration in my life, encouraging me to live authentically and to serve with love and dedication."