Mozambique

Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975, after almost five centuries of colonization. At independence, Mozambique faced severe challenges, 98% of the population were illiterates and large parts of the economic foundation were abandoned or destroyed by the Portuguese before they left the country.

During the first five years of independence, the Mozambican people took to developing their country with great enthusiasm. But around 1980, destructive forces started an undeclared war to undermine the country and 12 years of civil war followed. More than 1 million people were killed and Mozambique became one of the poorest countries in the world.
In 1992, a peace treaty was signed made possible by the end of the Cold War. There has been peace ever since. Mozambique has seen a very strong economic growth since the end of the civil war with increasing foreign investments in the country. However, the point of departure was one of the three poorest nations in the world, so poverty is still a huge issue for the almost 20 million Mozambicans.

Almost half of the population is below the age of 15. HIV/AIDS is a growing problem - e.g.. more teachers die every year from AIDS related diseases than are graduating from the teacher training colleges. The life expectancy is 40 years. There are serious environmental damages, millions of land mines in the ground and some areas are prone to flooding while others are constantly hit by droughts.
The Mozambican people face many challenges in building up their country and fighting poverty and conquering the legacy of colonization and civil war. But anyone who has been to Mozambique return with a huge respect for the Mozambican people and their ability to stay positive and coping with the difficulties. Step by step, the country is moving forward.
ADPP (Ajuda de Desenvolvimento do Povo para Povo) is a member of Humana People to People and has been working in Mozambique since 1982 and runs 42 projects in all parts of the country. ADPP has thus been working in Mozambique throughout the period of civil war and now when the country is at peace. There are strong ties and respect between the Mozambican people and ADPP.

As a Development Instructor in Mozambique, your work will be within:
Teacher Training Colleges: In 1992, right after the peace treaty was signed, the Government of Mozambique and ADPP signed a contract for ADPP to build 12 Teacher Training Colleges.. Today there are 9 in operation and 3 more to come, as well as One World University that trains teachers for the teacher training colleges.

So far over 3,000 teachers have graduated to work in rural primary schools. Mozambique has put a lot of effort into primary education and now 80% of the children go to school for 5 years. Our Development Instructors teach English, science, pedagogic and other subjects. They arrange weekend- and evening programs, work shops and teaching practice periods for the teachers in training as well as outreach community activities.

Vocational School: IICD sends Development Instructors to the Vocational School in Nhamatanda in central Mozambique. Here 105 young Mozambicans take part in 2 years training in agriculture, animal husbandry, accounting and business studies or construction, and at time same time they receive academic training to pass grade 8-10. Mastering a skills is essential for future employment and the ability to survive and the school is very popular. The students take part in numerous community activities. Our Development Instructors teach English, computer classes, organize sports, evening programs, and community activities.

Child Aid and Children’s School: The Child Aid projects and the Children’s School in Chimoio for orphans are part of Humana People to People’s extended program to improve the conditions for children and their families. Through 10 lines of activities, the projects address essential conditions in the fight against poverty - strengthening the economy of the families, health, education, HIV/AIDS programs, orphan programs, preschools, food secutiry, clean drinking water etc. It is a broad based community program, building people’s capacity to improve basic living conditions. As a Development Instructor, you will work with all the different lines of activities - shoulder to shoulder with the communities.

Farmer’s Clubs: Farmer’s Clubs is a community based program that mobilizes, unites and builds the capacity in small scale rural farmers to be able to increase food production and the family income. The clubs are essential in securing enough and nutritious food for people in rural areas. Development Instructors take part in this effort by teaching basic calculation, organizing classes in farming methods and improvement of soil, building water supply, organizing purchase and sales agreements, teaching health, nutrition and hygiene, taking part in field days and many other activities.

HOPE and TCE: 12% of the adult population in Mozambique are believed to be HIV-positive - the consequences of which can easily be seen in reality as well as statistics. HOPE and TCE (Total Control of the Epidemic) are programs specially designed to fight HIV/AIDS and to mobilize and educate the communities to deal with the many consequences of this epidemic. One of the major partners in TCE is USDA (The United States Department of Agriculture). Development Instructors take part in training Field Officers (local staff), who conduct house to house campaigns in each their area in order to reach every single person with information and education. The Development Instructors also take part in training passionates (local volunteers), estalish income generating projects, assisting communities to care for orphans and people who are sick, in organizing campaigns to get tested, helping local people to open and run soy restaurants, where vulnerable people can get protein rich food - and many other activities that all work to get this epidemic under control.