Luanda: Angolan Vice-President Esperan§a da Costa reaffirmed on Friday the government's commitment to combating all types of violence against children. Speaking during an audience with a group of children from the 'Kandengues Scientists Project', aged between 9 and 17 years, Esperan§a da Costa emphasized that the Executive is bolstering legislation to ensure children develop healthily and are protected from all forms of violence.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the Vice-President highlighted the Executive's focus on developing human capital and the essential role young scientists play in this effort. She noted that education, science, and youth are crucial for Angola's future. Efforts are underway to achieve the goal of having no children outside the education system and unprotected.
She reminded the children of their rights and responsibilities, urging them to be more dedicated and obedient within their families and to exhibit civic behavior in society. Esperan§a da Costa expressed her pleasure in interacting with the children and encouraged them to engage with the laboratories at the Luanda Science and Technology Park.
The Vice-President's message was clear: "So that you can, from there, transform your experiences and dreams into products that are useful to solve community problems and, increasingly, boost the development of the country."
Lueji dos Santos, the spokesperson for the 'Kandengues Scientists' project and an 11-year-old, conveyed that the young scientist candidates have a dream of bringing science closer to Angolan children. The project, since 2018, has trained over four thousand children and adolescents in natural sciences, robotics, programming, and technology through a community laboratory in Vienna.
He noted that the project provides opportunities for young people to engage in learning, creativity, and innovation, steering them away from delinquency and social exclusion. Institutional partners, including the Water Group of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Agostinho Neto University, have been significant allies in transforming scientific knowledge for community benefit.
An example of this collaboration is the 'Child and Water' project, which imparted scientific and environmental education to over three thousand children across Luanda, Bengo, Cunene, and Namibe. This initiative received international recognition with a Silver Medal at the Nuremberg International Invention Fair in Germany.
In November 2025, the project reached a milestone with the launch of a stratospheric balloon, developed with young Angolans' participation, which collected scientific atmospheric data. Lueji dos Santos emphasized that when given opportunities, young Angolans can engage in high-level scientific initiatives, contributing valuable knowledge to the country.
He concluded, "Vice-President, the results presented are proof that investing in children is investing in the future of Angola." He further stressed that children who engage with science gain confidence and hope, becoming valuable assets for the Nation.
The children expressed gratitude to the Vice-President for her encouragement, representing a beacon of hope for thousands of young individuals who believe in the transformative power of education and knowledge. The girl inventors and scientists expressed satisfaction with their training and committed to furthering their education in science and technology to address market needs and contribute to Angola's growth and development.
