Mozambique: February 1-14, 2007

Mozambique History

Mozambique came out of colonial rule from Portugal in 1975. Since then the country has suffered 17 years of communist rule, followed by civil war. There has been virtually no investment into Mozambique. Foreign investors split profit from the country’s natural resources among their foreign investors, leaving Mozambique one of the poorest countries in the world.

YWAM Marromeau History

The town of Marromeu lies on the banks of the Zambezi River. The recently rebuilt Sena Sugar Company is bolstering the local economy, but most of the population still survives on subsistence farming, well below the poverty line. Shephen and Caitlin Mbewe have spent the last eight years investing in, and getting to know, the local Sena community. After years of assimilation they are now at a place of further expansion.
Primary focuses of YWAM Marromeu:

  • Clean water
  • Health
  • Education

Problem: Transportation

YWAM Marromeu facilitated the first ever government inspection of rural delta areas. It was at this meeting the district government claimed they are unable to intervene in the health issues of the delta region due to a lack of transportation. There is currently no road leading to the area, the government must construct one, and they have no plans to do so.

Response:

YWAM Marromeu is beginning to remove transportation barriers through the sporadic use of a helicopter, donated by the owner, and a recently acquired boat, costing $12,000. The funds for this boat took six years to raise. The expense of fuel is now the greatest deterrent to frequent outreaches, a return trip to the delta costs around $400 in fuel.

Problem: Lack of Education

Universal primary education is a responsibility of the government; however, the local government has been unable to reach the delta areas and has no definite plans to try. A public intervention by any outside agency would be seen as a district government failure, which has made it known that they would be obstructive to any official education initiatives. Also the cost of training is expensive and beyond the reach of the majority of the population.

Response

YWAM proposes to take an informal approach to the education of children in the deltas. The local community supports this. To train additional staff, YWAM Marromeu hope to begin a facility where students can farm alongside their studies minimising the cost.

Problem: Health

There is minimal understanding of basic health and disease process. Much illness is attributed to local belief in witchcraft and therefore fundamental preventative hygiene and care is neglected. Primary health education is needed on an ongoing basis to undo centuries of myth.

Response:

Various short-term partnerships have enabled small medical outreach teams to visit the delta region at various times. This needs significant expansion to take long-term affect.

Close liaison with Marromeu District Hospital is being established for the training of local staff. Cooperation with the District Administrator for Health will enable complementary plans to be set in place, including correct treatment policies and universal documentation.

YWAM Marromeu is working to implement a vaccination programme in the Kirk Point area of the delta. They also hope to supply the area with donated or purchased vaccinations. The intent is to work within the government’s parameters to create an initiative with sustainability.

A trained health care worker will be moving to the delta region in the next 3-4 months to run a permanent clinic programme. He will need to be supported with a monthly visit to replenish supplies, as facilities in the delta are non-existent.

Problem: Clean Water

There are no clean water supplies in the delta regions. What drinking water is available is frequently contaminated due to seasonal flooding and improper sanitation.

Response:

After assessment and liaison with the local community, a plan can be established for water filter systems and/or closed wells and/or boreholes. Educating the local community in the upkeep and running of the well will be provided by teams from Marromeu. Responsibility will then be given to the community for its ongoing maintenance.

Fundraising will be done for individual communities. Volunteers will always be sought from the local community for manual work; however, some paid work may be necessary.

Needs

  • Fuel to the delta = $400
  • Borehole = $1000 (construction will take three runs to the delta)
  • Closed well = varied and case specific
  • Immunization program = cost unknown
  • Annual upkeep for the boat = $600 (propellers, oil, maintenance)
  • 4-wheel drive vehicle for boat (needed for launching/towing of boat and reaching difficult launch sites, many become impassable in the rainy season) = $20,000
  • Support of healthcare worker/school teacher in the field (dependent on availability) = $3000 per annum.

    • If you want to get involved and help out please contact us or donate now!