Newsletters
2011 March Newsletter
EDITORIAL
Each month, I attempt to put the work we are doing in Mozambique in context. This month however, I have left the words to Felisberto Tole, the local co-ordinator – who wrote the following to another network.
“We are a non-governmental organisation founded in 2007 by Dr Carol and us. We are based in Beira, Sofala Province, Mozambique. We are engaged in helping people to come out of extreme poverty by teaching and giving them money for them to learn to do small businesses, so that they will be able to support their families, send their children to school, and afford to get medical help.
Our target group is those people who are poor and living in desperate situations, most in rental houses which are in a very bad state, vulnerable to mosquitoes that cause malaria and cholera. Most of them are not educated, without employment and those with employment are on salaries of less than $100 a month. Imagine! Rent to pay, food, 5-7 kids in the family and that is not counting other relatives, schooling, and medicine. The list goes on and on. These people have no access to banks because the interest rates are very high and they have nothing to use for security.
So these are the kinds of people we are seeking to help, so that they might be able to help themselves through the business. Our biggest challenge is funding to enable us to help the people. We have very high demand here, for word of mouth about us has gone very far but we are not able to satisfy many due to the lack of funds.
We need training, coaching and expertise in creating businesses or services that will generate income for these families and which are appropriate to their level. We need people to sponsor small businesses and yes, keep in touch with them and see how your money can change a family forever. Thanks for making a difference.”
The donations you give to the people of Mozambique makes a difference and it is very much appreciated. We would like to take this opportunity to thank:
Tilde Publishing which has made a very generous donation to help with the work in Mozambique.
Peter Evans for the donation of a laptop computer; and
Paul Gardia of Llanier for the donation of a photocopier and scanner, all of which will make life much easier for the team in Mozambique.
How you can help.
Here are a few ways you might be interested in contributing to improve lives in Mozambique:
- Sponsorship – We have identified two potential borrowers and one member of staff we would like you to consider sponsoring.
- Support Group – Susan Jackson has set up a Caboolture support group. If you live in that area and would like to be involved please email her at s13.jackson@connect.qut.edu.au.
- Financial support for the operational costs in Mozambique – you may elect to offer your support as a regular donor. If so, please go to http://www.awakenmozambique.org/donate/
Please feel free to call me on 0407571650 or email info@awakenmozambique.org
Carol Dalglish
UP-COMING ACTIVITIES
Friday 24th June – Awaken Mozambique Annual Event. This coincides with Mozambique Independence day (independence from Portugal) which is the following day. Please put this date in your diary now.
September 2011 – A trip is being planned for late September to meet with the people in Beira who are running and being helped by this project. Numbers are strictly limited to no more the 12. Please let us know early if you are interested in participating.
DESPERTAI MOZAMBIQUE STAFF BASED IN BEIRA
Felisberto Tole
Felisberto Tole was born in 1960, currently about 51 years of age. Felisberto is a pastor of a small congregation. Growing up, his parents were poor, working in the fields to support their family, and education was not considered important so he only reached grade 1. He had five siblings, 2 brothers and 3 sisters. All his family including his parents, brothers and sisters have passed away and yet, Felisberto still strives to make the best of life even with all the tough times he has being through.
He took over co-ordination of the project in 2010 after having been involved since its inception in 2007. He is paid $200 per month out of which he struggles to care for his children especially now that his marriage of 19 years ended in a divorce. He is committed to helping the people of Beira, 80% of who live below the poverty line, to overcome their lack of education and employment to make better lives for themselves.
BORROWER PROFILES
This month, there are two individuals are seeking loans. Please let us know if you are interested in contributing to make a difference through your financial support.
Vasco Jone is 55 years of age. She has three children between the ages of 4 and 10 to support, one of whom is at school. She is currently selling beans, making about $70 a month. Vasco would like to set up a haridressing salon. She has tried this before but failed because of a lack of business expertise. But still determined, Vasco hopes to continue to sell beans while she establishes her hairdressing business. She is seeking to borrow $350, as it would help raise capital for her business and prevent her business plans from failing the second time.
Antonion Jaine Joao is 47 and supporting 6 children, 3 of who are at school. Antonion has been running a canteen for about two years (I’m not sure about the actual time because it was omitted) after being made redundant from the Agricultural Department. He would like to grow his business to improve the income of around $180 per month as well as employ 2 people. He is seeking to borrow $350 which would go a long way in helping sustain his business.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN MOZAMBIQUE?
UNICEF (2008) statistics show some interesting changes in Mozambique.
Mozambique has a population of just over 22 million. Gross Net Income per capita in 2008 was $370, which places 75% of the population below the international poverty line of $1.25 per day. Inflation is currently at around 19%. Life expectancy at birth has risen since 1970 from 39 to 48 years of age, and whilst adult literacy rate only sits at 44%, 81% of children now attend primary school.
There is still a long way to go with only 42% of population having access to improved drinking water and only 31% having access to improved sanitation facilities.
Mozambique’s Minister of Planning ad Development, Alube Cuereneia, has warned that Mozambique may face future food shortages as the country is still an importer of food. This provides an opportunity for investment in agriculture but much assistance is required to educate and train the people.
Rio Tinto is expected to take over Riversdale Mining Ltd this month. Riversdale has a joint venture project with the Tata group in coking coal mines in the Tete province of Northern Mozambique. The Tata Group is likely to remain a stakeholder as it is keen to secure coking coal supplies from Mozambique for its global steel operations.
