Francisca Sequeira is the founder and president of SOMA (Sufers Proud of African Women), the first surf therapy organization in Africa dedicated exclusively to girls.
Francisca, from Portugal, embarked on a new journey in 2020 during the pandemic. She was experiencing anxiety and panic attacks after losing her job as a flight attendant, and discovered surf therapy—a combination of surfing, mental well-being, and empowerment.
What started as a solo trip of self-discovery turned into a larger movement to support women and girls in the islands of São Tomé and Principe.
SOMA’s mission is to reduce the social exclusion of young women in Africa by strengthening their physical and mental well-being and promoting gender equity through surf therapy. The organization’s vision is to create the next generation of independent and self-sustainable women, surfing infinite waves of well-being, opportunities, and equity across Africa.
Over the past four years, SOMA has impacted more than 100 young women, empowering them through surf therapy, academic support, and psychosocial development. With models adaptable to local conditions, SOMA has been expanding into new communities, creating job opportunities and capacity building for local women.
In this episode, Francisca Sequeira shares her story of starting SOMA, and building the organization as a joint effort with the community. Julia and Francisca talks about social entrepreneurship, creativity and hope – and about what SOMA means for the women, girls and families in São Tomé and Principe.
Francisca shares her advice with us and encourages a combination of humility and the naive notion that we can change the world.
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Julia Wiklander is the host of Hey Changemaker!, the founder of the global feminist media platform, Girls’ Globe, and a communications strategist for changemakers and organizations.
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