Mozambique continues to be a country that requires much philanthropic work to
reduce the impact of poverty, which must be done by improving access to nutrient-rich food and effective education.
Without the proper infrastructure, meeting the physical needs of the community is nearly impossible. It is vital that there are certain resources on the property so that members of the community are drawn to it naturally. The following are some of the structures that are in the works that will make the community center a place that attracts people. This is the catalyst for building relationships that will lead to conversations about Jesus Christ and the Good News. Here are some of the proposed structures:
A Well
Water is the foundation of life. The quest for water can be a consuming event if it is not readily available. In Mozambique, it is estimated that 14.8 million people, over half the population, do not have access to clean water. The dry season runs from May to October, where water is scarce.
The lack of clean water sources leads to many issues, including sickness, loss of education, and even death. Access to clean water transforms the lives of rural residents in Mozambique, vastly increasing their health and giving them time to invest in other areas necessary to their survival and growth.
The first and most important part of Village of Hope is providing the citizens of Namialo with clean water. Not just today, but creating a system that is sustainable for years to come.
In order to continue the development of this community center, access to a kitchen and rooms is the next most important element. A kitchen will provide a place to cook nutrient-rich meals for the kids of the community.
Malnutrition is extremely high (43 percent) and has remained nearly unchanged for the last 15 years. It is most common in the northern regions, which includes Nampula, the region where Village of Hope is located. Because people depend on rain-fed agriculture to survive and the rain is inconsistent, children are not receiving a diversified and regular source of crucial vitamins, which leads to stunting. Moreover, educational messages to parents about the importance and best-practices of nutrition are not widely spread.
The Village of Hope will be a center that provides education and access to vitamins and food sources such as fortified cornmeal and other staples that families need in order to properly feed their children. The kitchen will be a place to house and distribute this food.
Classrooms will provide a place for literacy education to take place. Without access and opportunity, children cannot grow in their literacy and reading is the gatekeeper to education. Teachers and volunteers will use these rooms to help the villagers learn to read and increase fluency, thereby giving them a better opportunity for other means of employment.
The village of Namialo, located in the northeastern region of Mozambique.
The first step is to build infrastructure on the land, such as a well, classrooms, a kitchen, a soccer field, and others. The property also needs to be fenced all the way around it. See Project 2 for more information.
The second step is to institute a nutritional program through which families can acquire fortified cornmeal and other nutrient-rich foods. This may include education regarding livestock, water collection, and farming.
The third step is to begin a church that meets in the community center.
The fourth step is to begin providing literacy training for children and adults who would like to learn to read or improve their reading. This includes hiring teachers and providing materials, like books.
Traveling to another country to serve the people is an unforgettable experience that you will carry with you forever. It is not only an opportunity to bless others, but it also turns out to be a great blessing to you as well.
Planning and leading a trip is a ton of work for.
At this time there are no current trips scheduled, but stay tuned for upcoming dates soon.
If you are interested in going on a short-term mission trip to Mozambique or Brazil, please reach out through the “Contact” button for more information.