Olinda Eusébio – Second act

The life of Olinda Eusébio would make a three-volume novel. it is a journey full of pearls, victories, fear, panic and overcoming.

Let’s start. Since childhood, Olinda dreamed of becoming a flight attendant, as she has always been fascinated by helping others and getting to know places and people. After a training full of pauses and setbacks, she obtained the certificate and joined Mozambican Airlines (LAM) in 1990. The first years were full of challenges, which were accepted and carried out. Each flight was an experience, a unique moment to meet people and places. With training, qualifications and openness to accept differences, she learned to be an exemplary professional. She learned that being part of the crew is not just having a smile to show from the first to the last minute of the flight. It is necessary to know the passenger, understand their fears, anxieties and look for ways to make their trip more pleasant.

After 20 years of travelling, Olinda experienced fear and panic, which made her unable to continue on the planes. Without arguments, she was forced to retire. In the search for a cure, she had to read to understand where the origin of her phobia lies.

“It was a moment of searching”, she says, indicating that she ended up becoming interested in psychology, and she always thought about following this area. And following she did. “I graduated during normal (working) hours. The experience with the younger ones showed me other ways of seeing the world. I had a good performance, high grades, which showed that I was capable.”

After graduating, she headed to Spain to continue her studies, specialising in Transpersonal Therapy, Mindfulness Consulting and Holotropic/Holoscopic Breathing facilitation. “There, I found my way”, she says, detailing that she filled in the empty spaces.

Fate made room for her to return to LAM. It was during a troubled time, that the world was about to enter the state of emergency because of Covid-19. “It was three fulfilling years, as head of the mental health area at LAM, where I gave my contribution and heard stories from people who are under constant pressure.”

Already retired from LAM, Olinda continues to fulfill her mission. “LAM is a school, a place where I trained as a professional and human being aware of their limitations and strengths,” she concluded.

Issue 75 Sept/Oct | Download.