Mozambique
Active in Mozambique since 1992, Terre des hommes (Tdh) ensures the future of children at risk and orphans by supporting their communities. In 2011, more than 52,000 people benefited from the activities of Tdh.
Context
Mozambique, a republic on the east coast of Africa, is one of the poorest countries in the world. 75% of the population, mainly those living in rural regions, lives below the poverty line (US$1.25 a day).
After two consecutive wars, the last finished in 1992, the country still has to consolidate its economy and its infrastructures. The HIV/AIDS pandemic remains extremely widespread, although antiretroviral treatment is now more easily available than it was some few years ago.
In 2008 and 2009, several laws and regulations on the matter of child protection were introduced, such as the law against domestic violence, the law for protecting children from prostitution, and also the law on adoption. Despite slow implementation, their introduction opens up the way to constructive debates and discussions on child rights.
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34.842224
-19.081327
Sofala Province
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34.850292
-19.827983
Beira District
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34.749899
-19.612465
Dondo District
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34.792914
-18.895056
Muanza District
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35.025673
-18.394275
Inhaminga District
Centered at 35.529562 -18.665695 6
Children's situation
- Nearly 50% of the population is under 18
- 142 children in 1,000 die before they are 5 (CH: 4‰)
- 2,1 millions children are orphans, 670,000 of them due to AIDS
- 22% of the children between 5 and 14 have to work
- 52% of the youngsters are married before they are 18
- Only 31% of the children are registered at birth
Delegate: Frédéric Baele
Expatriate staff: 1
National staff:53
Budget: 632'948 CHF
In collaboration with: ASEM, DPMAS, SINOMLANDO, SOPROC
Community and family support – Population migration during the war, the high rate of people affected by HIV/AIDS which decimates the active population, led to disintegration of the communities. In them, people have far too few links and solidarity. Tdh helps the communities in Sofala province to look after the children at risk: orphans or those who live in extremely poor families. This is about giving them protection, to rebuild their family and social links and to improve their access to basic services. Tdh also supports the development of income-generating micro-projects.
Psychosocial support for children – In Beira, the second town of the country, Terre des hommes has opened a psychosocial centre for youngsters. They can confide their problems and get rid of them in the course of activities such as acting, drawing, sports, etc. Tdh then works with their families to bring them the support they need. 'Work on memories' also helps the children to retrace and overcome the ordeals they have gone through. Many schools are equipped with 'information boxes' where the children and staff can post problems to be dealt with later by the school head, with Tdh's help.
The support given to protection systems has delivered very positive results. More than 2,300 vulnerable children have seen their situation improve thanks to follow-up by local organisations, which includes community workers trained and assisted by Tdh. Starting in 2012, the project will allow the organisations to intervene independently, confident that they will continue to help families in need. Tdh will now provide more assistance to schools within the communities, making them true areas of protection. The “Maison Amie des Enfants” centre in Beira organised activities for more than 960 children. Starting in 2012, its plan is to develop a service to accompany social workers from the city. In order to accomplish this, the centre is working closely with the government, the teacher’s college, a provincial network and other national and regional associations.
