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Background: Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with independence in 1975. Large-scale emigration by whites, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development. The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) forces ended the fighting in 1992. In December 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANO stepped down after 18 years in office. His newly elected successor, Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, has promised to continue the sound economic policies that have encouraged foreign investment.

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By BradDenton
July 27th 2008

Sunday in Inhamizua Africa » Mozambique » Central » Beira

Open-air chapel

Today was Sunday, and we went to a nearby branch in a place called Inhamizua. The rented “chapel” is in a pavilion sort of place, with open-air rooms mostly surrounded by netting. It was pretty cool, though if the weather was bad that wouldn’t be the case. The branch is small enough that they meet for just two hours, basically omitting Sunday School. When sacrament meeting started ten minutes late, I counted 17 local members in attendance, of whom 14 were men or young men, one was a woman, and two were children. I understand that’s very common here—that th [View Full Entry]

By BradDenton
July 26th 2008

Another work day Africa » Mozambique » Central » Beira

Working on the machessa

Today was fairly uneventful. More of the same, really. In the morning we worked on a machessa, and in the afternoon we did some work and played with orphans at the Dondo orphanage where we’ve spent time several times before. At the machessa we tied grass into long bundles that will go on the roof. There were a lot of villagers who showed up, which is a really good thing. The more they put into it, the better it is for them. If it’s just white people showing up and doing stuff for them, there’s little or no long-term benefit. [View Full Entry]

By BradDenton
July 25th 2008

Making toolboxes in the village Africa » Mozambique » Central » Beira

The finished product

Today we went back to Marafina, the village where we had that meeting and people wanted t-shirts and salaries and weren’t too sure they wanted to be involved in Care for Life if those things weren’t forthcoming. Today actually went pretty well. In the morning we divided the kids into groups and did two activities with them. Half of them made little toolboxes (think miniature versions of the ones that Cub Scouts always do). The other half made the beads I told you about yesterday. One of the community leaders who hadn’t been too excited about Care for Life’s lack [View Full Entry]

By BradDenton
July 24th 2008

More work in the village Africa » Mozambique » Central » Beira

Mozambican jewelry

Today we went to an outlying community to teach the kids the “Stay Alive” class and also some crafts they can use to make a few bucks. Actually, that makes things sound a little more impressive than they really were. It’s the local Care for Life employees who teach the “Stay Alive” program. Today I didn’t understand most of it, but the most memorable part was the part where they role-played a 10-year old girl who was being propositioned by a guy and rejecting him and calling for help. Apparently that’s something that 10-year old girls need to kno [View Full Entry]

By BradDenton
July 23rd 2008

A Day at the (Cold, Rainy) Beach Africa » Mozambique » Central » Beira

Local boat tied up near the resort

Today was our day to go to the beach. The only problem is that it was the first rainy day we’ve had. The drivers were late. We’re not sure why. We called them and asked where they were, and they said they were on their way, within five minutes later. They didn’t get here till an hour later. Apparently that’s a cultural thing here. Aggravating, but common. Who knows why they were really late. According to my GPS, the beach is 18½ miles away. It took us about two hours to get there, over one of the worst roads I’ve [View Full Entry]

Riding the boat over to the beach resort

By BradDenton
July 22nd 2008

Working in the village and visiting Kadesh boys' orphanage Africa » Mozambique » Central » Beira

Balancing act

This morning we went to a community called Casa Banana. Yeah, House of Bananas. And what do you know, it turns out they have a lot of banana trees there. The kids were taught about hygiene in the machessa, and then we taught them some rudimentary sewing skills to make hand puppets. I went into it thinking that was pretty dumb, but it was less dumb than I thought. I suppose that’s not a stirring endorsement. The village had pigs, which I’d never seen before here. There were a jillion kids playing and wanting in on the sewing action, so [View Full Entry]

By BradDenton
July 21st 2008

Dancing with Africans and Talking Some Portuguese! Africa » Mozambique » Central » Beira

Sweet hairdo

Got a question about how we’re treated as outsiders. We’re always treated well. People want to look at you and a few will stare somewhat, but not many. If I catch someone’s eye I’ll usually smile and wave, and they always wave back. They’re certainly a lot more enthusiastic about us than if we were in Paris! Got a question about whether it’s hard to see all the kids wanting someone to hold them. Yeah, it’s sad. It’s interesting how the babies handle it differently. Some cry a lot trying to get attention. Most are pretty passive—I [View Full Entry]

By BradDenton
July 20th 2008

Church in Manga Africa » Mozambique » Central » Beira

Manga church

Today was Sunday, but I still had some adventures. Today we (another team member and I) started by making breakfast, which was French toast and eggs. Unfortunately, some on the team are slobs. They don’t really clean up their messes. It’s like living in Heritage Halls. Not good from a slobby kitchen standpoint. We had leftover scrambled eggs, lots of ‘em. Maybe 10. I gave them to our security guard, who was all stoked. He took them with both hands, thanked me profusely, and disappeared to snarf them down somewhere with the plastic spoon I gave him. Life [View Full Entry]

By Ralph2006
July 19th 2008

A train ride in Africa Africa » Mozambique » Northern » Nampula

The kitchen

A train ride in Africa seems like and is a good idea. No more sharing a seat with two other people, no more sitting down for 12 hours, no more potholes which could swallow a truck, being able to eat and drink and actually enjoy the scenery. That is if you book second class. Third class is just like being on a bus. No surprise then that second class was filled with mostly white faces. The train trip starts as the buses do too at the ungodly early hour of 5am but we were rewarded with a nice seat in a [View Full Entry]

Chaos desended on us every time we came to a halt

By BradDenton
July 19th 2008

How to Build a Community Center in Mozambique Africa » Mozambique » Central » Beira

Working on the machessa

Today was interesting again. Maybe not as good as yesterday, but good. The first thing we did in the morning was go to work at the village where we had the long discussion I told you about before. We went out to work on the machessa, which is a community center that will serve as a place for community meetings, health stuff, and whatnot. It’s about 20 feet by 50 feet. I worked mostly on the roof, nailing bamboo pieces to the wood frame. I’ve decided that one way to gauge the difference in development between countries is to compare [View Full Entry]

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