Support for Vulnerable Children in the South of Mozambique

Support for 150 socially and economically highly vulnerable children under 6, some of them orphans. The aim is to cover their needs so that they can attend child centers regularly (through payment of registration and monthly fees for a year, provision of uniforms and school equipment, health and hygiene).

Current Situation

Although in recent years the government of Mozambique has been striving to guarantee free public education for children aged between 6 and 12 in rural areas, this aim continues to face serious challenges amongst the rural population in the south of Mozambique. Thousands of girls and boys still lack access to compulsory education due to lack of resources, lack of interest from families, or poor health.

In order to contribute to the educational and social inclusion of children from rural areas and provide support for their families, a child-care center was built in the villages of Massaca, Changalane, Mahelane and Mahanhane in the early years of 2000 providing education, healthcare and food support. Since 2014, management of these centers has been transferred to the community, with the responsibility being taken on by people who have been trained in preceding years, as well as parents from the various villages. The families of children attending these centers contribute with a registration fee and a monthly payment for services received by their children, but there are a large number of families who cannot afford such payments.

The Project

Social workers in the villages of Massaca, Changalane, Mahelane and Mahanhane, in the south of Mozambique, have identified 150 socially and economically highly vulnerable children under 6, some of them orphans. Their families all work in agriculture and, despite the fact that work is being done to improve yields and provide alternative work opportunities, livelihoods are highly exposed to climate variability and reduced harvests.

The aim of the project is to cover the needs of these children, so that they can regularly attend child centres (through payment of registration and monthly fees for a year, provision of uniforms and school equipment, health and hygiene).