Areas in Mozambique being impacted by Hands at Work
THE CRISIS + HOW WE BEGAN
As Mozambique has transitioned from a post-conflict country after suffering through a 16-year civil war to one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, the rapid expansion is limited to the area around Maputo, the capital city, resulting in people living in extreme poverty, desperately trying to survive. Yearly, entire communities face a season of hunger when their food supply runs out. Limited progress has been achieved in improving water and sanitation and alleviating hunger and malnutrition. In particular, women and girls are especially vulnerable with many turning to prostitution as their means of survival.
Hands at Work began working with local churches and leaders in a community called Macadeira in 2011 by gathering the churches and demonstrating the heart of Christ to see His church united together in caring for the most vulnerable people. To overcome their lack of material possessions, the churches are being trained to see the strength of combining resources and working across denominational lines. They were also challenged to get deep into the lives of the poorest children, sharing their burdens and providing love, support and mentorship to address the enormous challenges they face daily. Since then, Hands at Work’s ministry in Mozambique has continued to grow and develop as local volunteer Care Workers and church leaders have caught the vision and model and committed their lives to serving the most vulnerable children ensuring that they are holistically cared for.
OUR RESPONSE
As the local church is mobilised in each community to unite and reach out to the most vulnerable, Hands at Work equips them to provide physical, emotional and spiritual support to the children and families they serve. Children are supported through the daily provision of Hands at Work's three essential services of food, education and basic health care provided at Life Centres within their community. Through regular visits to their homes, bible teaching and prayer, children come to know that they are loved by Christ and those who care for them.
MEET Alisha
Alisha* is one of the most vulnerable children we care for in Gobogobo Community, Mozambique. In 2020, Alisha’s* father passed away and his wife was suddenly left on her own with five children to provide and care for. Overwhelmed and alone, she moved back to Chigodole, the village she grew up in. Between raising five children and working in the fields, Alisha’s mother could not do it alone, but thankfully the Care Workers from Tariro CBO stepped in. The Care Workers welcomed Alisha and all her siblings to the Care Point, which offered great relief to the family!
Population: 33, 956, 560
Percentage of people living in extreme poverty: 67%
Number of children (0 to 14) living with HIV/AIDS: 150, 000
Number of children (0 to 17) who have been orphaned due to HIV/AIDS: 1, 300, 000
Life Expectancy: 62 (F) | 56 (M)
Country Rating (out of 187) the Human Development Index: 185
– Sources: UNAID, UNDP, World Poverty Clock
When Gertrude was 6 years old her father died, leaving her mother to care for her and her 4 year old brother, Alexandre. “It was sad for us to lose our father,” Germena says. “It was difficult. No one was helping us, and my mother worked very hard in the fields to provide food for us. We did not have any money and many times we went to bed hungry. Without a father in the house we did not feel safe and were scared of other people to abuse us.”
For the past four years, Chumai has suffered from epilepsy. His mother decided to return to her family because she could not deal with Chumai’s illness or those of the rest of the family, including Chumai’s father. A few months after leaving her children, Chumai’s mother remarried. Tragically Chumai’s father, Joaquim, died after falling from a platform used to dry maize cobs.