Once upon a time, there was a girl named Maria. She lived with her parents, who never let her do anything, have any privacy, or share her ideas freely. 

Her parents took her mobile phone every night and saw all her messages. She suffered a lot from this. It got so bad that she got depressed and withdrew from her friends.

Her parents saw how bad it was and took her to a doctor who realized that the parents were making some bad decisions and the doctor warned them. 

They realized they weren't being good parents and finally gave her freedom. She started being happier and became close to her friends again. This is the story of Maria.

Written by: Leonor, Maria Inês G, Sara, Tomás

Illustrated by:  Vitória, Lara e João

In a small village, there was a boy named Miles. His dad ran away from home when he was young. Consequently, his mom had to work a lot to maintain their lifestyle. She had more than one job, which meant she left home early and arrived home very late. With this schedule, Miles didn`t see his mom often, so to see her more often, he decided to work in a small restaurant. 

He dropped out of school, because he thought that if he got a full-time job, his mom wouldn’t have to work more than one job per day, and she would be happier. 

SCHOOL

His mom did not like that decision. She knew the importance of school for his future and got mad when he told her what he had done. She explained to him that working would be helpful for the maintenance of the house, but a child who worked and didn’t go to school was making a huge mistake. It wasn’t the right thing to do because every child needs an education and should fully enjoy childhood. 

Written by: Rafaela, Rita G, Sandra 

Illustrated by:  Vitória, Lara e João

So his decision to drop out of school and work would not make her happy.

With that in mind, Miles decided to stop working and return to school. Now he is happy and studies hard so that he may get a good career and help his mother in the future.

SCHOOL

The importance of knowledge

Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Chloe who grew up in a small rural village with limited educational resources. Despite everything, she had an unstoppable passion for knowledge and loved studying.

As the years passed, the struggle to access quality education became more pronounced. The only school children had available was very far away and not everyone had the opportunity to attend it. Not intimidated by the obstacles, Chloe took matters into her own hands.

She initiated a small study group, with some books and materials she had to facilitate the exchange of knowledge among fellow students.

Word quickly spread and a lot of people started to join Chloe's group. Recognizing the impact and significance of her initiative, some teachers and volunteers rallied to support her cause. Together, they formed a team, working collaboratively to ensure that education would reach every child in the village from that day on.

                                    Written by: Alexandra, Nalina, Rita P.

Alex was a wonderful boy. He was handsome and extremely intelligent. He loved to learn new things and explore the world around him. Alex was born with leg paralysis, so his wheelchair was his only way to travel. It was made by his father, and it had big wheels with red and gold details on them.

This boy had a good and simple life with his parents. He didn’t have many friends because the conditions in his country didn’t allow him to go to many places, but he was happy with the life he had.

The country he lived was never rich, nor did it have the best services, but it was when a war started that things got really bad. Living there at that time was horrendous.

He and his parents were planning to escape to a neighboring country, to the house of family members. But sadly, his dad died due to the conflict. An attack on the company he worked at caused a huge explosion and he did not resist.

Alex was grieving and absolutely devastated by what had happened to his father, but he and his mum knew they could not stay in that dangerous place because Alex still had so much to discover, so many dreams to live and so much to give to the world that they couldn’t give up. They embarked on a daring journey to escape the violence that had claimed his dad’s life. With no money and without the strength of his dad, would they resist? 

Determined, Alex and his mum navigated the rugged terrain, each bump and obstacle was an enormous challenge for his wheelchair. 

Alex was terrified and was starting to think that they weren’t going to make it. His mum was extremely hungry and weak, and he was exhausted as well. However, when he least expected, he met a girl named Sarah and she didn’t give up until her mother accepted to help him and his mum, and they accepted their help. 

With Sarah, Alex formed an unbreakable bond. She understood him in a way no one did before. And, with tremendous courage, they were able to overcome the obstacles and escape. Through heart-pounding moments, Alex and Sarah relied on each other for support. Along the way, they discovered hidden strengths within themselves, forging a friendship that transcended the scars of war. Together they surpassed obstacles and discriminations and managed to have a good quality of life, Alex had the conditions he needed to do everything he wanted and needed to, without being held back by his disability.

Written by: Clara, Mafalda, Mateus

Illustrated by:  Ali, Leonor, Maria L.

Once upon a time there was a boy who lived with his parents. They were a very happy family and had a great life. However, his parents taught him to be racist since he was very little. He never understood why because they were all humans just like him, but he decided to trust his parents because, in his mind, they needed to have a reason not to like people of other races.

       .

One day, he woke up and went to school as usual, but when he entered the classroom, he saw a new student in the chair next to his. He usually sat alone since, he was very shy and didn’t have many friends, but there was a little detail about this boy, his skin was black. As soon as he approached his seat, his new colleague immediately smiled at him and he realized how much of a nice person he was and so they became friends very quickly. Talking with him was easy and they had a lot in common.

Time passed and he decided to tell his parent about his friend. He wanted to prove to them that they were wrong, but their reaction wasn’t what he had expected. His parents didn’t change their minds. They told him to stop being friends with him instead and when he asked them the reason for not liking these people, they didn’t know what to say. There was no reason. He tried to obey his parents’ order, but he simply couldn’t. So, for the first time in his life, he contradicted his parents and told them he wasn’t capable of being like them. 

        .

The next day he went to school still very sad because of his parents’ reaction, but the day went normal until he got out of school. His parents were waiting for him on the other side of the street and he got distracted because of the ball he was holding that fell on the road and his first reaction was to pick the ball up, but there was a bus coming in his direction and he didn’t see it. 

His parents were watching everything. The only thing they didn’t expect was that his best friend was also watching everything and saved him. That boy was his luck.

His parents immediately reflected on how wrong their minds were and regretted everything they said about this boy and everyone else. We are all human beings. So let’s please spread love and stop hating each other.  

Written by: Catarina, Lara, Luísa 

Illustrated by:  Ali, Leonor, Maria L.

      .

Thank you!

In a welcoming town, Ravi, a six-year-old boy, full of energy and curiosity, was adopted by Ellie and Aster, a loving couple who dreamed of building a family through adoption.

From the first day, they worked hard to create a liberal environment for Ravi. They told stories, played together, and created a strong, affectionate bond. 

At school, the boy, with all the support of his adoptive mothers, flourished, made friends, and discovered his unique interests.

Through the years, Ellie and Aster were transparent with Ravi about his adoption. Together, they explored the importance of diverse families and the richness it brings to life. 

The surrounding community also had a crucial role, demonstrating support and understanding.

Ravi, over time, developed a sense of identity, and belonging. His adoptive mothers always encouraged his aspirations and supported him in his personal journeys. 

This story highlights how love and care can transform the life of an adopted child, providing a home filled with warmth, acceptance, and opportunities.

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Written by: Diana, Sofia

 In a small village, there was a girl named Sofia, who lived in an orphanage.  Despite the joy she radiated, she longed for something more: a family to call her own.   On a sunny day, destiny crossed paths with Ana and Luís, a loving couple who always dreamed of adopting a child.

 When they met Sofia, Ana and Luís were touched by her vibrant personality and the sparkle in her eyes full of hope. They then decided to start the adoption process, giving Sofia the fundamental right to have a family that loved and cared for her.

Meanwhile, in the heart of the village, teacher Marta tirelessly dedicated herself to ensuring that every child received a quality education.  

She believed that knowledge was the key to unlocking the potential of every child, regardless of their backgrounds.

When Sofia was officially adopted by Ana and Luís, they committed not only to offering love, but also to ensuring that she had access to an excellent education.  Little Sofia began attending the local school, where teacher Marta, with her passion for teaching, contributed to the girl's academic and personal flourishing.

This story exemplifies the importance of guaranteeing both the right to adoption and the right to education for all children.   By joining forces, the community helped build a promising future for Sofia, highlighting how these fundamental rights intertwine to create an environment conducive to the healthy growth and full development of each child.

Written by: Carlos, Gonçalo, Pedro

My blankets completely covered me. It was warm, comfortable and safe. It was my only safe space, where I could be me, without filters; where the words from the rude society wouldn’t even touch my fragile heart. 

But sadly, every day, he dragged me out of that world. Those dark brown eyes looked down at me like I wasn’t a person, as if my worth was way inferior, as if it didn’t even exist. To him, I was a “nobody” - I didn't affect his life at all. I used to cry over this, but I guess my eyes dried over time.

He wasn’t supposed to be like that; at least that was the idea of a father that I strongly wished for.

I arrived at school late and shove my bag under the table. The sound of my books and pencil was not enough to distract me from the others:

“Do you know who her dad is? No wonder… her mom is also a freak.”

I went to my classroom as well, not as happy as my big sister was. As I get closer to my desk, the smile on my teacher’s face slowly faded away. I might not have told her, but I bet she knew that my life wasn't all rainbows and flowers.

Every day, I felt like my body was breaking into little pieces, just slowly tearing apart, covered in black spots, bruises, scars, all from the lessons without meaning my dad gave me. 

Every weekend, I watched him leave and come back even worse than before, the smell of alcohol everywhere and then he would touch me without my permission. I felt disgusted every time his hands touched my body, writing stories in my biography I wish I could say I never had.

Every month, when the bills arrived, it was all my mother’s fault; she who had given birth to two useless children that could easily be erased from his life. It would never make a difference. 

Every second of my life was drowning in fear, anxiety and despair.

I might not be very smart or a fan of school, but I could go days without a break, studying, forbidden to leave school, if that meant I didn't have to go home to my dad. And my mom? She had become completely insane. I used to hear inspiring love stories before I went to bed, just like the movies. Later on, it was scary to be by her side, to hear those suicide wishes, plans to try and end our suffering. Of course, I didn't like this either. No one would, but I couldn't leave my sister, my true mother.

As my family was falling apart, she always kept her head up, taking care of mom, protecting me at school, being dad’s boxing bag most of the time. Then she would go near me, even with tears in her eyes. She never stopped smiling. I know you are wondering why she was purposely going through all of this. 

Every single aspect about her was inspiring and one day I wanted to be that person. And one day I would.

As I arrived at school, all eyes were on me, shocked, with looks of disgust on my colleagues’ faces as if I were some kind of monster that didn’t deserve to live in society, but I was used to it. The only one that was always worried was Miss Smith, our substitute teacher. She was still young, but acted like an adult, full of life experiences, giving us all advice for our little struggles, finding us resources to solve our big problems, but I never saw her so worried about anyone like she was about me.

Before leaving school, she would always come up to me, ask me about my day; if I wanted a ride home or just someone to talk to. I always refused. This was my problem, mine alone. I couldn’t bring myself to make a kind person like Miss Smith see the hell my family was.

Days went by, weeks, months. A new school day, a new scar on my body. It didn’t matter if the sun shone brightly, I would be wearing my hoodies, covering myself. I didn’t talk to anyone and even my only friends slowly stopped talking to me. But not Miss Smith. It wasn’t like her to give up. She was so nice.

One day, as I was packing my school bag to leave, she came up to me and, with a worried, voice she said:

All the people he deceived, those I pretended not to know. All the drugs he brought home, that I agreed to help him hide, since I really didn't have any other option. All the innocent business partners that he beat up in front of me, while I just stood still, watching without the courage to call the police. Those days had to end. My mother needed help, my sister needed to rest and I was determined to take some of that burden off their shoulders.

I didn’t even care about my school stuff. Miss Smith warned the headmaster that I needed to leave and her serious face said it all. The headmaster just nodded and continued to work. 

On the way to her car, I froze: “Should I really be doing this?” I asked myself, feeling the tears coming again, feeling my body shaking everywhere. Everyone in this country knew my father’s story, what he did and how he got away with it. Money! It was always the answer. Justice wasn’t as important as those colorful pieces of paper.

When we arrived at the station, Miss Smith went straight to the first office, just as if she knew the place and the staff. I expected her to be friends with someone there but no, she went to her father’s office, Chief Smith. They both looked at me and smiled:

After that, I gathered all my strength and, even when my eyes were flooded with tears and my head was screaming at me to stop, I told them everything I knew. All the terrifying, and nasty things my father did. All the pain he made me go through all these years, tormenting my family, depriving me from living and not just surviving. As I was speaking, Miss Smith was shocked, but I could feel a bit of a relief from her too, like she was happy that I had decided to choose life. 

When I finished, the Chief did not allow me to go home, since it was too dangerous, but I wanted to save my sister and my mother as well, so he agreed to get together a group of cops and go to my house.

The distance between the police station and my house was short, but that car trip felt like it was taking hours, years to end. Supposedly I have to be at home at 4pm every day, but it was 6pm and I didn’t even remember to warn my family that I was going to be late but, when I thought about it, it might have been the safest option.

When we got there, we heard a very loud scream, a young female voice. I recognized it instantly. My heart started beating very fast and I was breathing very heavily: “What did he do to my sister?! Did he hurt her?! Please tell me he didn’t” I was thinking to myself, crying even more than before.

When I looked inside my jaw dropped. There was blood everywhere. No signs of my mother. Apparently, she had run away because she didn’t want to suffer any longer, but my sister was not OK. She was lying on the floor with a big, deep scar on her head. Her fists were covered with bruises and black spots, which made it clear that she had tried to defend herself.

He wasn’t able to finish his sentence, as chief Smith jumped between them and pinned my father against the wall, making him drop the knife.

As he was being arrested, he looked at me furiously. His eyes were a threat in itself, but I didn’t feel fear. I felt relieved. Those days of suffering were over and I had been able to save my sister, my best friend, and myself.

From that day on, I changed a lot. Some even say I didn’t look like “the little girl they knew”.

A few years later, I finished high school and studied law at university. I never actually had a job aspiration but since I was able to put my father in jail, I knew that I was meant to be a lawyer. 

 My story ended up all over the internet and, when I finished my studies, I had tons of kids asking for my help and I never fail to give it to them.

Written by: Carolina

Illustrated by: Maria João

Illustrations: Slidesgo