MOZAMBIQUE: EXPANSION DIRECTOR MICHELLE DINIZ COMBINES SUSTAINABLE FASHION AND HUMANITARIAN ACTION

Michelle Diniz Brings Mulheres com Propósito to Maputo

Civil Diplomat Michelle Diniz, Jethro International’s Director of Expansion and Women’s Social Impact, combined sustainable fashion with humanitarian action during her visit to Maputo, Mozambique.

Michelle participated in Fancy Africa, where she launched her fashion brand, Unique Essence, and presented its first collection, Fénix.

Her participation in the event marked a new stage in her professional career. Fancy Africa brings together fashion designers, entrepreneurs, and creative industry professionals, promoting African fashion, cultural identity, and international exchange.

According to Michelle, this opportunity was made possible through the support of King Levi Dapper, founder and creative director of Fancy Africa. He invited her to participate in the event and helped introduce her to Mozambique’s fashion industry.

Fénix Collection and Sustainable Fashion

The Fénix collection reflects an approach that values the reuse of fabrics and clothing, creative reconstruction, and responsible consumption.

In addition, the brand builds on the environmental practices developed through the Mulheres com Propósito Association.

Over the past two years, the association has recovered more than two metric tons of clothing that might otherwise have been discarded.

The initiative directs these items toward donation, reuse, recycling, and creative transformation.

In this way, Unique Essence brings an established social and environmental commitment into the fashion industry.

Mulheres com Propósito Association and International Connections

The Mulheres com Propósito Association, based in Portugal’s Algarve region, supports women and families through humanitarian assistance, community activities, and opportunities for personal and professional development.

Michelle Diniz founded the association, which develops initiatives to support vulnerable families and encourage women’s entrepreneurship.

Her experience in Maputo opened new opportunities for dialogue among women developing projects in Portugal, Mozambique, and other countries.

Rather than viewing local communities solely as recipients of assistance, Michelle emphasized listening, mutual learning, and recognizing existing leadership.

This approach encourages cooperation based on knowledge sharing, local experience, and respect for community initiatives.

From the Runway to Humanitarian Action

Michelle’s activities in Maputo also included a humanitarian initiative carried out in collaboration with local women and community projects.

Through the Mulheres com Propósito Association, she joined NDITXI Temperos Caseiros, Mirza Joel Macamo Jamal, and other participants in preparing and distributing meals.

The initiative aimed to support people facing social and economic vulnerability in Maputo.

NDITXI Temperos Caseiros, founded by Bernardete Cândida Novela, connects food entrepreneurship with solidarity.

The company uses part of its sales revenue to prepare meals for people in need.

The initiative demonstrates how local entrepreneurship can contribute to community assistance through practical and ongoing activities.

For Michelle, the experience reinforced the importance of recognizing existing community initiatives and collaborating with local leaders.

Mozambican Women Create Opportunities Through Local Leadership

During her visit, Michelle connected with women whose work contributes to entrepreneurship, education, professional development, and social inclusion in Mozambique.

Among them was Verónica Sónia Mandua, founder of Crespolândia, a company specializing in hair health, beauty, and personal care.

Through her business activities and mentoring initiatives, Verónica promotes professional development and creates opportunities for other women.

Michelle also met Cláudia Shamisso Ferreira, co-founder of Matthew Escola Privada, an educational institution located in Maputo.

The school combines the Mozambican curriculum with international educational content and promotes inclusive learning.

Another participant was Mirza Joel Macamo Jamal, an entrepreneur, mentor, and social activist involved in women’s professional development initiatives.

Her work includes entrepreneurship training, communication, business mentoring, and projects designed to strengthen women’s economic independence.

The visit also provided opportunities to meet Bernardete Cândida Novela and Marijane Chande Jussa, who participated in the exchange and humanitarian activities.

Together, these encounters highlighted the contributions of Mozambican women to community development across different sectors.

Civil Diplomacy Through Cooperation and Shared Goals

Michelle Diniz’s visit to Mozambique brought together two areas of her work: sustainable entrepreneurship and humanitarian engagement.

Through Unique Essence, she presented a fashion collection focused on reusing and transforming clothing.

Through the Mulheres com Propósito Association, she participated in humanitarian assistance activities and met with Mozambican community leaders.

These activities demonstrate how Civil Diplomacy can encourage cultural dialogue, professional relationships, and cooperation between countries.

For Michelle, Maputo represented both the beginning of a new business venture and an opportunity to strengthen relationships with women already working toward social development.

Her experience also reinforces an essential principle of Humanitarian Civil Diplomacy: lasting cooperation begins with recognizing local knowledge, respecting community leadership, and building opportunities together.