MMF fellowship program: “mantas right before my eyes!”
Hi, I am Nilza de Catarina from Mozambique. I'm 24 years old and very concerned with the state of our ocean. I joined MMF for one year, as part of their Marine Science and Conservation Fellowship Program. The vision and the way that the organization carries out their conservation efforts – by creating true connections with the community – caught my attention.
I was not able to swim when I joined the team, just like many children in Mozambique, my parents couldn’t afford swimming classes. I had swimming lessons with MMF, and while I was learning, I was able to interact with the community and tourists to share information about the megafauna in our precious Tofo area.
I got my diving certificate, and afterwards I was ready to collect some whale shark and manta ray data, and MMF helped me get some specific goggles for my eyes. Able to swim and see, I started my data collection training. I was honoured by two manta rays parading beautifully right before my eyes! I cried! I wanted to cherish them. It was an overwhelming feeling. I knew then that I wanted to dedicate my life to helping these majestic animals.
And then the time came, I had finished the open water course. It was magic. I was thunderstruck to be out of gravity, to breathe underwater. I had achieved a life goal that I never thought I could.
Thanks to the curriculum that MMF helped me build upon during my time in Tofo, I was awarded a scholarship in Marine Biology and Conservation in Italy!
I have no words to tell you what MMF means to me. It was a privilege be embraced by renowned scientists and professionals in all kinds of ways. They helped me to blossom, and for that I will be forever grateful.
I’ll be right back team.
Nilza de Catarin
Want to enquire about joining MMF? Click here to see our volunteer roles and current vacancies.