CHF in Mozambique

This month, Mozambique will be celebrating 35 years of independence from Portugal. Despite its youth, this country has already experienced civil war, natural disasters and the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

After a turbulent beginning marked by 17 years of civil war, Mozambique suffered numerous floods and droughts. Combined with a significant loss of the adult population to HIV/AIDS — which orphaned more than a million children — rural families have been forced to depend largely on food aid.

Six months ago, CHF joined local NGOs Family AIDS Caring Trust (FACT) and Kubatsirana to help Mozambique’s rural poor break through the cycle of aid dependency and achieve sustainable livelihoods by working toward food security.

Kubatsirana

While CHF has been working with FACT in Zimbabwe since 2003, this is a new partnership with Kubatsirana.

Kubatsirana is a local organization that works with faith-based community groups to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and alleviate its impact by providing home-based care, support for affected families and education. 

“The new livelihoods project with CHF has been well received by the government and beneficiaries,” said Elias Munda, the Project Manager at Kubatsirana. “They are encouraged that the project has produced tangible results in a short period of time.”

Created in 1995, Kubatsirana brings a wealth of experience to the partnership. Its relationship with the local population and its understanding of their needs is invaluable to the success of the project.

Monica’s Story

The project, which began earlier this year, is already starting to show results. Monica Musororo is one of the project’s early success stories.

Monica is the sole guardian of her 10 grandchildren, whose parents died from disease. To support her family, Monica depends on agricultural activities. The project has helped her by providing 10 kg of bean seeds, 60g of vegetable seeds and two hoes. Monica has also received agricultural training from some of the other project beneficiaries.

“Despite still being in the beginning stages, the impacts of this project are tangible,” explains Nyararai Magudu, CHF Field Coordinator in Mozambique. “Peoples’ lives are changed not only by receiving seeds, tools and livestock but, most importantly, they now feel empowered.”

While speaking with field staff, Monica expressed admiration for the project’s quick, tangible results. With the help of the project, she hopes to put her grandchildren through school so they will have employment opportunities.

“The rural communities have wholeheartedly embraced the project,” says Magudu. “This is real rural development at its best.”

Thank You!

Last month, instead of the regular e-bulletin, we invited you to fill out a survey. We would like to thank everyone who participated, and we appreciate all of your helpful comments.

Unfortunately, there could only be one winner of the $100 Ten Thousand Villages gift certificate. We are happy to congratulate Sylvie Morel as the recipient of the certificate.

CHF will be publishing the survey results in an upcoming e-bulletin.