Building bricks, building futures: A youth’s journey to cyclone resilience and community empowerment

Building bricks, building futures: A youth's journey to cyclone resilience and community empowerment

In the cyclone-hit communities of Mozambique, survival often demands innovation, resilience, and hope. For 30-year-old Ramane Ramos Jorge, these qualities have been at the heart of his extraordinary journey. Supported by the International Labour Organization's Government of Mozambique (MozGov) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) funded Decent Work for Youth in Mozambique Project, known as Projecta Jovem, Ramane of Nampula's Marrere area has created a unique brick-making enterprise that not only withstands the ravages of cyclones, but also builds brighter futures for himself, his team, and his community.

25 April 2025

Before his venture, Ramane's days were marked by uncertainty. As a father of three, the relentless question of how to make ends meet weighed heavily on him.
But when Projecta Jovem project extended its financial and technical support, he seized the opportunity with a determination forged by the challenges he had faced.
"It was in 2024 when ILO through Projecta Jovem project trained us and gave me brick-making machine, handy tools, and start-up capital to establish my business," he relates.
Armed with new knowledge and resources, Ramane's set out to produce soil-cement blocks, selling them at an affordable price of 20 meticais (about 32 cents) each.
Today, his daily production of 300 bricks not only covers his family's needs but also funds his children's education-a dream he once thought impossible.
"The market is huge for the bricks. I have customers, who come at the site to buy bricks, and I also supply at the nearby market," he explains.
Ramane's financial stability has transformed his family's life in profound ways. With the steady income from his business, he can now provide nutritious meals and better living conditions for his family.
His three children, who previously faced an uncertain educational future, now attend school regularly, equipped with proper uniforms, books, and supplies that Ramane proudly provides.
The ripple effects of Ramane's work are deeply felt in his community.
Recognizing the struggles of local youth, he brought four young workers onto his team, providing them with stable incomes that have transformed their lives.
For these youths, the brick-making enterprise is more than a job-it is a lifeline, enabling them to support their families and envision futures once out of reach. Ramane's commitment to making durable, affordable bricks readily available has also earned him the admiration of his neighbours, who now have access to materials essential for rebuilding stronger homes.
"I have plans to expand my business to other parts of Nampula and employ more youths. I want to help the community to develop by constructing cyclone resilient houses and commercial buildings," he adds.