My name Is Waldemara Pires, I’m a 21 years old Cape Verdean student in China. I am currently studying in Beijing Language and Culture University, as an exchange student from Macao Polytechnic Institute.
I consider myself a calm, responsible, good-natured, positive and motivated person. I love to talk, learn and share ideas. Leadership is one of my greatest qualities.
March last year I took part in an international competition held by China Daily, I got to the semifinal and won the “Citizens of the World Award” with the theme “Let us be true to one another”. That theme got deep in my heart so I decided to open it to all of those people in the audience because sometimes that’s all we need to do.
As an international student I had and I’m still having a lot of opportunities that made me grow up, realize how the world actually is, but the best thing that ever happened is the fact that I could realize how my country and continent needs people that are willing to take an action. Taking part on that competition also made me realize that I need to raise my voice, join social causes, create projects for a better world and seek all of them. There’s a series of problems that concerns me, however it’s hard to do it alone. I’d be the happiest person alive if I could find partners to engage on this journey.
For the past year I worked hard on shaping a “better me” and I also took quite some time on reflecting about all my concerns, yet sometimes I felt that the simplest things in life are the hardest to be achieved. I love basic things such as a good laugh, food, be around those I love, sing… All of us do!
I do believe in equality, I do believe in peace, I do believe in love, that’s why I want all children in the world to have at least 3 meals a day, I want adults to live their lives without uncertainty about tomorrow, I want our elders to live their days peacefully. I want Africa and the whole world on its best days. I believe we can eradicate poverty, which is key to ending malnutrition. At the same time, eradicating malnutrition is key to economic development.
This might sound like a fairytale for many of you out there, yet it’s possible if we gather our strength together for the sake of a better world. Join me!
