Meet Margarida: Mentor, Guide, and Advocate for Gaza Learners

As part of our Brave Voices series at Brave Future, we spotlight the people who give heart and meaning to our mission, those who turn challenges into opportunities and make education possible even in the toughest circumstances.

Today, we’re proud to introduce Margarida Serralheiro, a Learning Coach at the Coimbra Hub, who has been supporting learners from BIS Gaza remotely since 2024. Her story is one of quiet strength, adaptability, and compassion, a reminder of the resilience that fuels Brave Future.

Flexible by Nature

If Margarida had to describe her role in one word, it would be “flexible.”

Every day, she adapts to her learners’ changing realities. Some don’t have reliable Wi-Fi. Others lose electricity for days at a time. For many, hunger and conflict are daily struggles. Yet, despite these challenges, Margarida shows up, finding creative ways to keep them motivated, engaged, and working toward their academic goals.

“My primary goal,” she shares, “is to motivate the learners who are going through this really tough moment, so they don’t feel like giving up and keep aiming for good academic results instead.”

A Role That Goes Beyond Teaching

For Margarida, being a Learning Coach is about so much more than academics. It’s about connection, validation, and encouragement.

She describes her work as both challenging and deeply fulfilling. Guiding learners through their studies while also making them feel appreciated, seen, and encouraged gives her a profound sense of purpose.

“Even though this work is challenging, I know that I am making a difference in their lives. My learners have been growing and achieving good academic results, and I do my best to ensure they can move forward and be optimistic about their futures.”

Creating Bonds That Matter

One of the most meaningful aspects of Margarida’s work is the personal bond she builds with her learners.

“Creating a bond with each of these learners by validating their struggles and finding solutions together makes me feel useful and proud of them.”

Sometimes, those struggles are heartbreaking. Margarida recalls one particular message from a learner who admitted she was unable to focus on studying because she was hungry.

“I will never forget how difficult it was to deal with the content of that message and keep encouraging her,” Margarida reflects. “It broke my heart, but it also reminded me why this work matters.”

Making Education Possible

The impact of Margarida’s work is clear: without Brave Future, many of her learners would have no access to education.

Her role includes guiding them through assignments, connecting them to their Academics, Moodle, Central, and peers, and simply being there as a consistent support system. She adapts schedules, uses the right words (and even the right emojis) to keep spirits high, and knows when to reach out to others in Brave Future for additional help.

“Being honest, caring, and positive, while adjusting to their schedules and changes, makes me suitable for my role at Brave Future,” she says with humility.

Looking Ahead

What motivates Margarida to keep showing up, despite the obstacles? A simple, powerful vision:

“Honestly? Believing that, one day, these learners will be at the university somewhere and grow old.”

It’s this long-term hope that fuels her daily work. For her, every small step, every completed assignment, every word of encouragement, every smile shared online, is part of building that future.

Beyond the Classroom

Outside of Brave Future, Margarida has her own inspiring story of growth. She laughs when sharing a personal fact:

“Growing up, I used to be afraid of dogs, but recently, I’ve started my volunteering journey with a dog rescue association in Coimbra, Portugal.”

It’s another example of her courage to face challenges head-on and transform them into opportunities to care for others.

Why Her Story Matters

At Brave Future, Margarida reminds us that education is not only about academics, it’s about empathy, resilience, and human connection.

Her flexibility, compassion, and unwavering belief in her learners embody the very values Brave Future stands for.