Returning from Príncipe means coming back with a full heart and the certainty that you want to return.
It’s understanding the true meaning of saudade (portuguese word that expresses a deep emotional state of nostalgic longing for something or someone that is absent)
I had the opportunity to live a transformative experience with SOMA, whose mission is as clear as it is powerful: to work every day to provide real tools to girls and young women so they can become more confident, self-aware, and the protagonists of their own lives.
For two months, on Príncipe Island, I joined the team as a buddy — a key support role that touches on all areas of SOMA. As a buddy, I was involved from lesson planning to implementation, mainly supporting swimming and Stand Up Paddle classes, as well as tutoring sessions.
The role involves making sure everything is in place, but above all, being a constant, reliable, and available presence. Being there to listen, encourage, help carry boards, teach something new, prepare snacks, or simply smile and give a hug at the right time.
To me, being a buddy means being behind the scenes and at the heart of the relationship at the same time. It means helping create a safe environment where true transformation happens.
Among so many tasks and routines, what truly defines the experience are the girls we work with. Their presence, strength, and simplicity gave me life lessons I will carry forever — in the way they face challenges, the joy with which they live the present, and the genuine way they show gratitude and affection.
It is incredibly rewarding to witness their growth: seeing them gain confidence in and out of the water, understand their emotions and feelings, express themselves more securely, and learn to trust in themselves and others.
I also have to highlight the SOMA team environment: organized, with a clear workflow, but always warm and human in how they overcome challenges. The way we are welcomed as volunteers, respected, and listened to makes all the difference. Being surrounded by such a dedicated and passionate team enhanced the whole experience and gave every day a clear sense of purpose.
As for the adaptation to the island, I can honestly say it was smooth. The culture is deeply welcoming and warm, which makes it easy to find your place despite the noticeable differences. It's easy to realize that rhythms, priorities, and even communication styles are different from what we're used to — and turning that into learning is the key.
The island has its own pace — slower, more present — which helps you slow down, listen more attentively, and respect the timing of each person and process even more. I truly felt at home — both within SOMA and in the community.
Honestly, despite all the differences, the lack of many things, and the challenges… living on Príncipe is living in an undiscovered paradise, where every landscape sweeps you away completely.
If you're thinking of applying or are about to embark on this mission, the best advice I can give is: let yourself be embraced by the culture and the open-minded people. Not everything will be as you imagine or plan — allow yourself to live the unexpected, the simple, and the authentic.
In the challenges, you’ll discover abilities, resilience, and empathy you may not have known you had. Embrace every moment — from the perfect days to the ones that require more patience.
In the end, I realized that I received as much — or even more — than I was able to give.
Trust the process, trust yourself, trust the people around you — and above all, trust in the magic of Príncipe.
By Sara Pereira, Former Buddy in Principe's Project
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