My navel is buried on the island of Fogo - Luisa Jorgensen

“Ami ê di undi?” Lately when people ask me where I'm from, I say I'm a citizen of the universe.

I was born in Fire. My father is from Santo Antão and my mother from São Nicolau. My sisters, one was born in Santo Antão, another in São Vicente and another in São Nicolau. This is because my father worked on all the islands in the construction of ports.

I left Fogo at the age of one, I went to live in São Vicente where I had a spectacular childhood. Then we moved to the island of Santiago where I did my primary and secondary studies.

Then I went to take a course in the Soviet Union where I had the opportunity to live with students from various parts of the world. It was a contact with different cultures. This was a great experience in my life.

After the end of my university education, I walked around Europe, in search of other experiences. I did a little bit of everything, like working in cleaning or babysitting.

When I returned to Cape Verde in 1994, my country was different and I was richer as a person. The country also had another organization, democracy, multi-party system and many economic reforms.

I was able to enter the job market without any problems at the Court of Auditors. But I wanted other challenges. After some contests, I started as a consultant for a month. I had to take a three-month unpaid leave of absence. I never went back to my old job.

I embraced Fire, where I met my husband. I worked as a maid, sold fish, flowers, “chicken”, I worked as a high school teacher. I did a little bit of everything. It wasn't easy, but I felt that I had and still have a mission with the island and with the people.

Nowadays we have Fogo Seafishing and Zebra Travel, our life projects. We want to provide experiences to those who visit the country. The island has a lot of potential.

Lately there has been much appreciation of the heritage that constitutes the island of Fogo and a change of attitude on the part of the people of Fogo. I believe that with the appreciation and knowledge of what is ours, the island will have a better future.