Before leaving his home country, Esmeraldo worked on a number of Danish health projects: IMCC, Danchurchaid (DCA), and Saude Bamdim project. Because of the Civil War, he was forced to leave the country and move to Cape Verde.

In August 1998, while in Cape Verde, he befriended an American woman working in the Peace Corps on behalf of children’s education. After working together that year, she and her husband made arrangements and supported Esmeraldo’s move to Florida, where he lived for several years. In 2008, he moved to Portland, Oregon, where he currently resides with his four children.

He is employed as an Optical Technician and has been working at FLIR Systems since January 2009. He also owns the Silva Family Cleaning Company and working in a Business Administration degree.

The purpose of FPJS is not only to continue the works of Professor Silva (as mentioned here) but to also utilize Esmeraldo’s research and expertise in the health and education fields on behalf of women’s and children’s holistic well being.