Casa da Misericórdia in Maputo

Teenagers and young people detained for crimes of various kinds receive a second chance thanks to the rehabilitation process at the Casa da Misericórdia, in the district of Marracuene, Maputo province, Mozambique.

The boys, who are given alternative measures to prison for good behaviour, were admitted to the Casa da Misericórdia of the Archdiocese of Maputo, considered a ‘second chances factory’. The Casa da Misericórdia currently hosts 18 beneficiaries offering rehabilitation, human formation and social reintegration into society. On several occasions, words of appreciation have been expressed for the rehabilitation actions and work that this House addresses to young people, a project that aims to develop the whole person in various aspects: the personality aspect, the spiritual aspect, the Christian formation aspect, the technical formation aspect, and preparation for the world of work.

The work carried out at the Casa da Misericórdia not only contributes to the personal recovery of the adolescents, but also to building a more just and inclusive society. The project is an admirable example of how human assistance and solidarity can transform lives, an example, a good practice that deserves to be better known.

Listening to the testimonies of the young people assisted, their stories and learning about the methodologies used for rehabilitation, one can understand the charitable work of the centre. Elton Matsinhe, one of the young beneficiaries of the Casa da Misericórdia's services, considers himself lucky to have been accepted into the facility: ‘I was arrested for a crime I committed, a car accident, which led to my death. That's where I started to reflect’. The boy continues, ‘’Driving on the street without a licence is dangerous. Drinking is dangerous. They brought me here, I met my brothers, they took me in and so did the father. And now I promise that I will be different from the Matsinhe they once knew’.

Another beneficiary, Shelton Dalila, recounted that he has recognised many changes in himself since he began his second life within the Casa da Misericórdia: ‘I have gone through many transformations, despite the temptations that are there every day, I have managed to get back up and remain steadfast in order to continue my journey’.

The director of the institute, Father António Perreta, explained that the length of stay can vary from 6 months to 1 year and that the daily life of the young people in the centre starts early: ‘The young people wake up at half past four in the morning, in Mozambique you have to get up early to have bread on the table in the evening’. 

The representative of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, M. Almeida, who visited the site in March 2025, reaffirmed the Church's commitment to supporting initiatives to promote human development in Mozambique.