Sister Domingas was born into a Catholic family in the rural province of Kuanza Norte in Angola, West Africa. At the age of 6, due to a condition with her leg, she moved to Luanda to live with her aunt. It was at this time that she decided that her life's work was to help children, as it was children who defended her from her aunt's abuse. She studied in Luanda until 4th grade, then returned to her homeland where she met Sister Fernanda Reis and began her journey to become a missionary. She and Sister Reis spread a message of hope during this tumultuous time in Angola's history that came just after its recent independence.