Alto Molocue

Last week I traveled with two colleagues from the office to the northern province of Zambézia, where IBIS’ education programme is based – more specifically in the district of Alto Molocue. Let me just say that this was a completely different experience from what comes to seem as urban, cosmopolitan, hip and happening Maputo. This is what I could call the “African experience”!

Okay, maybe I should clarify that there were no lions or giraffes; I did not meet any tribal people and I also did not see anyone fighting a crocodile or a snake (Fortunately the most extreme experience in that regard was an invasion of ants in my room, but my very savvy roommate handled that situation efficiently with insect spray).

However, a few of the things I did see were:


Women and men walking elegantly in the side of the roads carrying bricks, wood, food or big buckets of water on top of their heads without spilling a single drop…

People meeting under the shade of a tree...

Children bathing and women washing clothes in the river…

… and with soulful music playing from the car radio while you are being tossed around in the four wheel drive that’s having a losing battle with uneven dirt roads in the rain, this scenario is perfect for the beginning of a great romance with rural Mozambique. - And in spite of many difficulties that the population in these areas face, that I am not looking to play down, I do feel that some level of romantization is very valid, not only considering the beautiful sceneries and details you meet when you take an extra look around, but also due to the interesting and inspiring people I got to meet during my stay. The next few postings will be about this visit.



The trip to Alto Molocue was in connection with the visit of a donor who finances IBIS projects in two rural schools in the district. We went on several visits to one of these schools, located in a remote area called Murrovoro, but we also spent some time in the small town of Alto Molocue, where IBIS has an office and has supported several activities over the last years.

 

Something that really caught my attention was the social awareness of the children and young people I spoke to in Alto Molocue town. It is very clear that there have been efforts in the area to strengthen the civil society and to create a consciousness about rights, something that is particularly visible when it comes to the rights of the individual at a more personal level - and when I say visible I mean in the discourse you meet when talking to people, but also literally visible as you can spot t-shirts everywhere promoting children's rights, protecting yourself from HIV/AIDS, the fight against domestic violence, etc.

'Girls' power to
...report [abuse]
...say no
...choose their own future'

'Promoting and protecting childrens' rights' 
(t-shirt from the 'Children's Parliament')



On one occasion, during an event at the town's playground, two 12-year old boys approached me and asked me how human rights and children's rights are viewed in my country - their question definitely took me by surprise! Thinking of  Denmark this is not really an issue I am used to discussing in the same way as they are (meaning: how do I actively protect my rights on a daily basis), since it is something that is mostly taken for granted or maybe discussed in more abstract terms - and at least there are mechanisms that can react if these rights are not respected. These children's concerns are very practical and relate to learning that children have the right not to be beaten in school, the right to speak their mind and not to experience sexual abuse, etc. Sometimes I do wonder to what extent children are able to understand what all of this means, but nevertheless there is definitely a drive and a significant motivation to try to create more opportunities for themselves and other children.  

Of course this awareness also needs active steps from authorities, as the children's capacity to take action is very limited, but I am still impressed and interested to see what this new generation will do with this empowerment to speak their mind and if the discourse of rights can become more than rhetoric.

If you follow the link below, you will see 12-year old Jessica reciting a poem she wrote herself. Jessica is one of the children that attends the literature club at the Alto Molocue Community Development Centre (supported by IBIS) who all very bravely shared their poetry with us. (A rough translation of the poem is in the description of the video)

 Link to Jessica's poem