A Mundu Nôbu was established to help young people from underrepresented communities achieve their full potential. Approximately a hundred youths, among the 500 who registered, have been involved for a year in this dream factory that also helps tackle nightmares such as racism and discrimination.
Musician and composer Dino D’Santiago serves as the president of the association, which he founded with Liliana Valpaços. In an interview, he acknowledged that he learns more than he teaches, though he is aware of his role as an inspiration and a testament to the possibility of success for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The artist expressed enthusiasm when discussing these youths, who often come from places “where even dreaming is a privilege,” but in Mundu Nôbu realize that “more than dreaming, they have many tools and people around who thrive with them and, subtly, work on each dream.”
“One wants to pursue journalism, we secured an internship; another is interested in diplomacy and, after some time, she’s discussing diplomacy with the President of the Republic, who encourages her,” he stated.
In this space, young people interested in poetry found a creative writing workshop. Many of them have left the country for the first time, and one represented Portugal in Osaka, at the world’s largest expo, with a self-penned poem.
Then there’s Abigail, 19, who has always loved art and has successfully exhibited some of her work at FNAC.
She shared that the association exposed her to “various peoples, diverse nationalities, and different realities.”
“This opens my mind to gather more inspiration and, importantly, allows me to pursue what I love most: drawing,” she added.
Raquel, 18, aspires to a career in journalism and believes Mundu Nôbu has already helped her realize this dream, adding that what the association offers complements what her life was missing.
Leonor, 16, saw the association’s objectives as significantly different from others. She dreams of being a dancer, draws, and wishes to own an architecture firm one day.
Regarding Dino D’Santiago, she said he makes her believe in her dreams. “He shows me that, regardless of my reality, we can achieve our dreams.”
Diana, 17, highlighted the “good results” since she decided to fully immerse herself in this new world. Among many guests who have visited the association—entrepreneurs of Lusophone origin, artists, athletes, singers—the actress Rita Pereira particularly stands out. “She demonstrated her drive and instilled in me and other young people the inspiration to believe,” she noted.
For Dino D’Santiago, the dreams of these youths have been realized “at the speed of light,” partly due to strategic decisions such as locating the association in a prime area of Lisbon rather than in the neighborhoods where they live.
The creator of songs like “Nova Lisboa” and “Crioula” emphasized the challenges these youths face, coming from peripheral neighborhoods and, in most cases, very dysfunctional and precarious families.
“In our social neighborhoods, we still have houses without electricity, houses without water, children who go to school hungry because there’s none, children whose biggest enemies are siblings competing for what little is in the fridge,” he remarked.
At Mundu Nôbu, the professionals who support these youngsters are available 24/7, alongside a psychologist. They share joys and sorrows, especially as they deal with fundamental issues like racism.
“All these children share terrible things they experience at home,” he noted, praising their capacity to believe in the future, such as Edgar, who recently lost his mother while his father lives in Angola. With limited monthly funds, he lives alone, studies, and wishes to pursue a political career.
Edgar Domingos was the top winner of the literary contest that sent a young member of the association to represent Portugal at the Expo Osaka in Japan. However, due to his ongoing legalization process, Francisco Vieira took his place and captivated the audience with a poem asking and answering: “And then Portugal? It’s about making it happen!”
The artist underscored the importance of relationships among the youths. “Of all the projects, what they enjoy most are the moments of sharing.”
“The fact that they feel heard makes them believe more and more, in complete silence, while each one speaks, that this is a place to release their vulnerabilities,” he explained.
There is no shortage of challenging topics, such as the triple homicide in Bairro do Vale, Lisbon, which claimed the life of a barber, one of Mundu Nôbu’s youth’s father.
Furthermore, the death of Odair Moniz in Cova da Moura and the situation involving Asian immigrants being confronted by police on Rua do Benformoso deeply impacted them, necessitating intervention by the professionals and psychologist.
Regarding controversies involving immigrants and nationalism, the youths respond: “I will prove my worth, I will prove that I am above the color you see and consider inferior to yours,” affirmed the musician.
Ángela Almeida, a social monitor in the association, reflected on her past experiences to better support these youths.
She praised the strong interpersonal connections among the youths and foresees “a very promising future, completely different from what they initially brought.”
“I believe that these youths, whose minds are already changing, will also want to change the minds of other youths,” she said.
José Vaz, another monitor, expressed surprise at the youths’ adaptability.
“What we convey to the youths is confidence,” he commented, adding that their mission is achieved when the youths believe in their capabilities, which are significant.
