Mozambique

Community and psychosocial support for orphans and children at risk

Active in Mozambique since 2002, Terre des hommes (Tdh) ensures the future of children at risk and orphans by supporting their communities. In 2011, more than 52,100 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.

Our intervention

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.

• 34.842224 -19.081327

  Sofala Province

• 34.850292 -19.827983

  Beira District

• 34.749899 -19.612465

  Dondo District

• 34.792914 -18.895056

  Muanza District

• 35.025673 -18.394275

  Inhaminga District