Ludmila Danquá e Silva has more than five years of experience in social services. Currently, she is a social worker at the main hospital in São Tomé and Príncipe, where she assists patients with social problems. With the experience she gained at the Domestic Violence Counseling Center and by volunteering with the non-profit Serviço de Apoio ao Cidadão, she provides free and confidential service to inform, protect, and support citizens in a humanized manner. Ludmila holds a masters degree in Social Service. She is motivated by the desire to seek social justice and the respect of human rights, and she dreams of becoming a policymaker who can provide equal justice for all. On completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, she plans to apply her new skills, knowledge, and tools to contribute to the social development of her country.

What do you do in your home country and what do you hope to do upon completion of your Fellowship? In particular, with the integration of your experiences with Drexel University?

I'm a Social Worker at the main hospital, in S.Tome. A Social Worker works by connecting people in situations of vulnerability and social exclusion to their rights as citizens, thus supporting their personal  development and social integration.

Upon completion of the fellowship ill continue to develop actions as a member of a NGO to combat violence and sexual abuse against minors and advocate for the women rights, fighting for greater and faster gender equality. I'm pretty sure that being part of the Drexel Community will surely empower me with different tools and will give me a different perspective on how to do my work best.

What is your favorite thing about your home country? What are you most excited about learning about Philadelphia?

I love the quality of life that my country provides. About Philadelphia, I'm curious about the culture, especially the food.

Do you have any hobbies or an interesting fact you wish to share about yourself?

I love reading in a calm and peaceful environment.

​If I were to come to your home country, what is the first thing I should eat?

My advice to all that come to visit Saõ Tome and Principe is that they should eat our fish. We have the most fresh fish in the world and the way we prepare it is very, very good. We only use fresh ingredients. The combination of all that results in a marvelous dish.