Leonel

Leonel is 20 years old and in his second year studying animal science at the Instituto Superior Politecnica de Manica (ISPM), an agricultural training college near Chimoio in Mozambique. Leonel is an orphan, has two brothers, and currently lives with his grandmother in Chimoio. He originally wanted to study civil engineering but didn’t have enough money to pay for the courses. He eventually got a scholarship to study agriculture and is now happy, as he enjoys his studies and appreciates the support of the lecturers. With the loan, Leonel will plant 6-10 hectares of maize,…

Leonel is 20 years old and in his second year studying animal science at the Instituto Superior Politecnica de Manica (ISPM), an agricultural training college near Chimoio in Mozambique. Leonel is an orphan, has two brothers, and currently lives with his grandmother in Chimoio. He originally wanted to study civil engineering but didn’t have enough money to pay for the courses. He eventually got a scholarship to study agriculture and is now happy, as he enjoys his studies and appreciates the support of the lecturers. With the loan, Leonel will plant 6-10 hectares of maize, soya and cowpeas. With the profits he earns, he hopes to pay for his fourth and final year of university, which is not covered by the scholarship, and to also help his grandmother by buying inputs for her small plot of land. Leonel knows that a university education will help him to develop the skills he needs to be a successful producer. His ambition is to own his own farm and to rear animals. Leonel dreams big – he wants to be the best producer in his area and to supply the whole country.