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Have you ever asked yourself: Am I loved? Do I matter to someone? These are deep questions that touch the human heart. At some point, we all need to feel seen, valued, and loved. But there is another question we are invited to reflect on: Am I someone who is truly loved? And if the answer is yes, there is still one more essential question: Who are those who truly love me? At the center of this time of reflection is a powerful truth: God loved us first. Before we ever thought

I chose this title, The Dental Bite: More Than Just a Tooth , because of a moment that stayed with me long after my dental appointment ended. Today, I had a medical appointment that wasn’t easy for me at all. I haven’t been doing very well these days, and my Professor, JD, who is also a dentist, recommended that I see another dentist. Interestingly, this dentist had also been part of my program in the past, the LEND Arizona program. Even with that connection, deciding to go w

This reflection is based on the podcast Anatomy of Trust: How Real Relationships Are Built by Brené Brown . These are my personal reflections and interpretations. They do not claim to be “right” or “complete,” but they reflect how I understood the ideas shared and how they connect to my lived experiences. What stood out to me The first lesson I took from this podcast is the importance of engaging with topics that truly matter to us and to the people around us. Whether we are

The stories shared in The Trauma Script are deeply traumatic and extremely sensitive. I cannot imagine these kinds of stories being told to children without care and preparation. The episode "Faith Tale: How Grief, Trauma, and Resilience" stayed with me in particular. When George shared his experience of loss, when he lost his dad, it immediately reminded me of my own experience of grief while I was studying in the United States. I traveled to the U.S. in 2022, and this loss

How to Trust People You Don’t Like This was the podcast I was listening to as part of the requirements of my leadership project in my Arizona LEND internship . As part of this experience, I was asked to provide feedback and share my views on different podcasts I listened to during the semester. Apart from my professor, who is the primary recipient of my feedback, I decided to use this platform not only to share my views, but also to invite you to navigate these reflections wi

Every child needs a reference. A light to guide them. A voice to encourage them. A hand to lift them when they fall. For me, that reference was my father. 👨‍👧 He walked beside me to school. He sat in my meetings. He introduced me to sports, And whispered in my heart that I was capable. In Mozambique, where many still believe that women’s role is only to serve, my father stood against the current. He refused to limit me. He gave me space to dream, to speak, to believe, to be

Being a woman means being a fighter, a caregiver, a provider who takes care of their loved ones with all the love and affection and doesn't allow anything wrong to happen to them. Being a woman means being patient and affectionate. 🤱 A woman is a mother, a friend, an aunt, and a grandmother. Being a woman is an act of innovation, charisma, strength, and the certainty that tomorrow will be better. Women embody beauty, innovation, and transformation. Above all, being a woman i

A Personal Reflection As a PhD student in Special Education, one of my major goals right now is to prepare for my comprehensive exam. This website is part of that process, a place to showcase the materials I have created, the research I have done, and the work I continue to build during my doctoral journey. And in this process, building this website has been one of the most meaningful parts of my doctoral journey so far. While I'm conscious that the goal of my portfolio, or t

Inclusive education is a vital topic in today's world. It aims to provide equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities. In the Global South, this concept takes on unique challenges and opportunities. For me, this is not just research; it is personal. My path into inclusive education has been shaped by hands-on experiences in schools and communities, moments that revealed how inclusion is not just a principle written in policies but a prac

📖 Education is a fundamental right for everyone, yet many individuals with disabilities face barriers that prevent them from accessing quality learning. This issue is not just a local concern; it is a global challenge that requires urgent attention. For me, this is not just theory; it is lived reality. I grew up in Mozambique, where I saw firsthand how children, particularly those with disabilities, were excluded from opportunities. Through my work in schools, preschools, an

📖 In a world where education shapes futures, the stories of those who break barriers are vital. I see myself as one of those individuals. My journey in education is not just about personal success; it is about amplifying the voices of those who often go unheard. My experiences highlight the importance of representation and the power of education to transform lives, not only mine but also the lives of children, particularly children with disabilities, youths with disabilities