woensdag 22 oktober 2014
Ready for school
The schools in Mozambique start in January and end in December, but already the books were available for the next school year. And we wanted to be quick since the last few years we had to find them all the way in Nampula. Now being warned by the director of the secondary school, we were able to buy the books for the next year early, cheaper and complete for all 11 students. Just waiting for the schools to start now!
Clinic 2
The first part of the clinic has been restored! The part of the clinic that was broken down (the cracks in the walls and the veranda) have been fixed. Now we wait till we have suficient money to start with the extention of the maternity section and the painting of the whole building.
donderdag 2 oktober 2014
Clinic
The original founders of Frangipani LDA the Mozambican organization which is responsible for Coral Lodge, donated the construction of a clinic in Cabaceira Pequena, back in 2001. Now the clinic needs a proper renovation and the maternity part of the clinic only has space for 2 beds for mothers to have their babies at the same time, but as the amount of children being born is very high, they are asking to extend the building which space for one bed more.
This is the most critical project they would like us to realize the coming year with the money from the community fund. So this month we will start with the rehabilitation. The cracks in the walls and the broken veranda/waiting room will be fixed.
After saving up more money, we will start with the extention.
This is the most critical project they would like us to realize the coming year with the money from the community fund. So this month we will start with the rehabilitation. The cracks in the walls and the broken veranda/waiting room will be fixed.
After saving up more money, we will start with the extention.
orphans
Till now the orphans refuse to live in the ophanage, as I have reported before on this blog. Staying with their families, although in worse conditions, is preferable to living with other children and different guardians.
But as to add to their standard of living, which is the goal of the donator, we are visiting all the orphans at their houses and make a report on the standard of living:
who are the guardians, what do they do to provide food, what is the house like, how does the child sleep etc.
With the report, we now can see which children live in the worst conditions. With them we start with making a plan together with the nearest family and friends:
1. what can we do to extend the daily income? This will depend who is the income provider. In many cases it are the grandparents, who also depend on different donations. Then we see where the donations come from and we see if we can help these people with some kind of micro credit (provide them with a fishing net for example) or send them to the Portguese lessons.
2. what can we do to upgrade the house in a sustainable way? Not just cover the roof with temporary material, but rehabilitate the house in a way that is stays strong for the coming years till they have had enough time to organize a better income.
3. provide a proper bed/matress as most children just sleep on the floor.
We hope with these household plans, we will be able not to only upgrade the lifes of the ophans in a sustainable way, but also that of their families.
This will all be done and paid for by the money from one of our guests.
But as to add to their standard of living, which is the goal of the donator, we are visiting all the orphans at their houses and make a report on the standard of living:
who are the guardians, what do they do to provide food, what is the house like, how does the child sleep etc.
With the report, we now can see which children live in the worst conditions. With them we start with making a plan together with the nearest family and friends:
1. what can we do to extend the daily income? This will depend who is the income provider. In many cases it are the grandparents, who also depend on different donations. Then we see where the donations come from and we see if we can help these people with some kind of micro credit (provide them with a fishing net for example) or send them to the Portguese lessons.
2. what can we do to upgrade the house in a sustainable way? Not just cover the roof with temporary material, but rehabilitate the house in a way that is stays strong for the coming years till they have had enough time to organize a better income.
3. provide a proper bed/matress as most children just sleep on the floor.
We hope with these household plans, we will be able not to only upgrade the lifes of the ophans in a sustainable way, but also that of their families.
This will all be done and paid for by the money from one of our guests.
Micro credits
26 business plans I received within a week and before I left I was able to speak to all the owners. For me this was one of the most interesting things to do. I really got an inside in the lifes and way of doing business at a low scale.
We have $1400.- available as a rotating loan. One loan is given and once paid back, it can be given to an other person. Adding more money to this amount would give more people the possibilty to start (extending) their business sooner. The community has asked us to inform the guests that this is their preferable project to donate to.
We have $1400.- available as a rotating loan. One loan is given and once paid back, it can be given to an other person. Adding more money to this amount would give more people the possibilty to start (extending) their business sooner. The community has asked us to inform the guests that this is their preferable project to donate to.
illiteracy
To our estimation at least 75% of the population of Cabaceira is illiterate and maybe even 90%. So with providing free lessons for adults in Portuguese speaking, reading and writing, we thought we would be able to get this percentage down. Also the mayor of the district asked us if we would be able to provide this, as she thinks this would help with the development of the district.
Unfortunately after doing many promotion and trying to convince the community in many ways to attend the lessons, after 3 lessons, nobody showed up again. The teachers that also teach at the pre-school, are still available every afternoon for all the adults who have the interest to learn.
The government provided books in Portuguese and mathematics, especially for this group, so all material is available. Unfortunately none is interested to learn as they don't see the direct result. No extra food or luxery at the house, when they go to school. Only more difficult to go fishing or take care of the children....
To make it a succes we need to investigate further what organize for people to be motivated to go.
Unfortunately after doing many promotion and trying to convince the community in many ways to attend the lessons, after 3 lessons, nobody showed up again. The teachers that also teach at the pre-school, are still available every afternoon for all the adults who have the interest to learn.
The government provided books in Portuguese and mathematics, especially for this group, so all material is available. Unfortunately none is interested to learn as they don't see the direct result. No extra food or luxery at the house, when they go to school. Only more difficult to go fishing or take care of the children....
To make it a succes we need to investigate further what organize for people to be motivated to go.
Orphanage
The orphanage and the primary school are a meeting place for the whole village during the day. Since it is always busy with women cooking, teachers relaxing or teaching, parents passing by and many children playing, we decided to extend the orphanage with a veranda in the shade for all of them to have place to relax and sociolize.
Also in April just before finishing the bath rooms for the primary school and the orphanage, a big storm blew the roof of the buildings, so they needed to be fixed as well.
Usual maintenance as more paint and cement was also one of the alterations, but now the building looks like new!
Also in April just before finishing the bath rooms for the primary school and the orphanage, a big storm blew the roof of the buildings, so they needed to be fixed as well.
Usual maintenance as more paint and cement was also one of the alterations, but now the building looks like new!
Benches
We thought it was a great idea to provide the community with benches for the elderly to sit on in the late afternoons to sociolize. As it is something that they do now sitting on the floor of the steps on the houses.The community could not decide for one year on the locations.
After asking them many times and tossing and turning with different location, in August they had finally decided. Since the community is divided in a Frelimo (the ruling political party) and Renamo part (the only opposite party) which have been fighting each other since the civil war, any location would give envy to the other side. Also the need which we thought would be there, supposedly was not as great as we thought. There are not so many elderly (the average morality age in Mozambique is around 42) and they are happy with what they have. They depend on their children for survival, so they are not in a position to demand. Now together with the elderly 7 locations have been selected divided over all parts of the community and the benches are realized
After asking them many times and tossing and turning with different location, in August they had finally decided. Since the community is divided in a Frelimo (the ruling political party) and Renamo part (the only opposite party) which have been fighting each other since the civil war, any location would give envy to the other side. Also the need which we thought would be there, supposedly was not as great as we thought. There are not so many elderly (the average morality age in Mozambique is around 42) and they are happy with what they have. They depend on their children for survival, so they are not in a position to demand. Now together with the elderly 7 locations have been selected divided over all parts of the community and the benches are realized
The primary school
At the primary school the teachers are enjoying the new building imensly. Having children sitting in desks, under a roof and being able to teach at all kinds of weather really makes a difference. They are only sad to see that the children are not so keen to come. Many children drop out of school. There is no obligation by law to go to school and so many prefer to entertain them selfs in the streets and try to get some money. Parents also are not making an effert to send them, as they don't see the use directly.
On the other hand at the Madrassa (Koran School) children do attend from the age of 3 and hardly any of the children miss out on learning to read Arab. Here the "spell of God" is a big motivator for the children and the parents. Any family problems might relate to not attending some of the classes.
With some of the teachers complaining to me about this, I informed them that children will come if they would make it also interesting to attend. If they would be able to make the lessons interesting and exiting, the many children would be more keen to learn.
Unfortunately I felt their own education (secondary school and one year lessons in teaching) is not sufficient to able to provide this.
A solution to better/higher education and more children attending is not something for the very near future...
On the other hand at the Madrassa (Koran School) children do attend from the age of 3 and hardly any of the children miss out on learning to read Arab. Here the "spell of God" is a big motivator for the children and the parents. Any family problems might relate to not attending some of the classes.
With some of the teachers complaining to me about this, I informed them that children will come if they would make it also interesting to attend. If they would be able to make the lessons interesting and exiting, the many children would be more keen to learn.
Unfortunately I felt their own education (secondary school and one year lessons in teaching) is not sufficient to able to provide this.
A solution to better/higher education and more children attending is not something for the very near future...
The pre-school
The teachers are struggling to keep the children that are paying for the pre-school to attend the classes. Although the money was only to pay for the snack during the break, many parents indicated that it was too expensive ($6,50 per month). Only the lodge staff were able to pay for it.
Besides that I indicated that the teachers should try and keep the classes interesting for the children. They should be keep to go to school, because it is so much fun. So together they should try to give all children enough attention and time to play (not only learn). They understood this, but also told me that some children even after school hours now prefer playing at their houses.
To solve the problem we also came up with another set up. All children just bring the snack for the break from their home and nobody has to pay any more. All the orphans still get a snack and a cooked lunch.
Within 2 weeks 40 children were attending the pre-school and then we closed up. Now two groups of 20 children in the age of 2 till 6 are enjoying toys, games, singing and learning to speak Portuguese.
Besides that I indicated that the teachers should try and keep the classes interesting for the children. They should be keep to go to school, because it is so much fun. So together they should try to give all children enough attention and time to play (not only learn). They understood this, but also told me that some children even after school hours now prefer playing at their houses.
To solve the problem we also came up with another set up. All children just bring the snack for the break from their home and nobody has to pay any more. All the orphans still get a snack and a cooked lunch.
Within 2 weeks 40 children were attending the pre-school and then we closed up. Now two groups of 20 children in the age of 2 till 6 are enjoying toys, games, singing and learning to speak Portuguese.
Ramadan 2014
Also before the start of the Ramadan 2014 we received a donation for supporting the 100 poorest of Cabaceira Pequena with food and a small donation for the end celebrations. Since we had already a list of 100 people from last year, this year we only had to add new names for the ones that died during the year, since most of the people on the list are eldery with no means to support them selfs and who completely depend on help from the (extented) family.
We provided the 4 mosks with food to daily break the fast with the poor people that needed this support and at the end of the month we provided all the 100 people with a donation of $50,- each. All were greatfull to the donator and to God.
We provided the 4 mosks with food to daily break the fast with the poor people that needed this support and at the end of the month we provided all the 100 people with a donation of $50,- each. All were greatfull to the donator and to God.
The new selected children
During the exams the following children were selected:
- Maré Faquete
Maré a boy who’s father is a “negociante” a trader who buys the fish from fisherman and then sells it to people in land. Although more of his children go to the primary school, Maré is really keen to learn and don’t stay at home many days, like his other brothers or sisters. When he heard he was selected he was jumping with joy. His father would never be able to pay this for him and he sees this as a great opportunity to build a future for him and is family. His father feels the same. I spoke to him to check if the parents will support the children, but near crying he was thanking the donator for the opportunity.
- Maré Faquete
Maré a boy who’s father is a “negociante” a trader who buys the fish from fisherman and then sells it to people in land. Although more of his children go to the primary school, Maré is really keen to learn and don’t stay at home many days, like his other brothers or sisters. When he heard he was selected he was jumping with joy. His father would never be able to pay this for him and he sees this as a great opportunity to build a future for him and is family. His father feels the same. I spoke to him to check if the parents will support the children, but near crying he was thanking the donator for the opportunity.
- Momade Chomar
This boy had an average score, mainly in Portuguese, his mathematics was
not very good. His father works at the lodge in the laundry and after hearing that he was selected for a scholarship he and his parents were
very happy.
- Janito Ibraimo
He was the most intelligent of the whole class. He was jumping with joy
when he heard he was selected and when his father came to see me to show his
will to support him, his father was crying for the opportunity that was given
his son, since he would never be able to pay for this. His father is a fisher
man.
- Segura Mamudo
One of the two most intelligent girls and we really want to support girls
to go to school, since they are normally not the ones in the family to be send
to secondary school. The girls tend to get pregnant very young and then don’t
take the effort to find a job. Segura scored average on her exam. Her Portuguese
was quite good, her mathematics not very good. Her father is a fisher man as
well, has 8 children that don’t have a job and Segura is the first and only one
that will go to the secondary school.
- Zeinabo Amisse
The other girl we selected and which we hope will not get pregnant before
finishing her Secondary School and finding a job. Like Segura, Zeinabo scored
average on her exam and mathematics was the main problem. Her father is also a
fisherman and was jumping with joy for the opportunity.
- Chico Assane.
Chico scored average on this exam. Mainly his Portuguese was good, his
mathematics not very. The whole family live for generations in Cabaceira Pequena
and all of them have been fishermen. His father is working as a night guard at
the lodge, just to protect out boats. I didn’t know this when I did his exam.
Chico will be the first and only son that will go to secondary school.
Exams
Since we received more donations from guests to support 6 more children at the boarding school in Mossuril for 3 years, we organized a day to do personal exams with all children of the 7th grade of the primary school in Cabaceira Pequena.
After
Ramadan just before the school break in August I went to Cabaceira to do an exam
with all children of the 7th grade of the Primary school. From the registered 25
children, 20 showed up, but 5 directly left when they heard the objection of the
exam. These were all girls (unfortunately).
With
the other 15 children I did the exam individually. The student had to write me
his/her goal in life, they had to read some Portuguese from a childrens book,
they had to do some mathematics (starting from 3+6 till 15x6) and a logical
question from an IQ test. I did not know the children, nor did I know the
background of their situation at their family (would the parents have enough
money or not).
Unfortunately only 2 students were able to
pass all parts of the exam. Other could not pass one, other could pass parts. In
total I selected 6 children for which I had sufficient money from guests to
support them during 3 year at the boarding school.
Annual community meeting
In August we organized the annual community meeting to inform the whole community about the money spent on all the projects and the projects that they want to start the coming year. The following subjects were discussed:
Community fund: Guests staying at the lodge contribute $2,- per person per night to the community within their room-rate. Last year in August the balance was + $1700,- and during the year $2500,- was added. The whole of this amount was used to finish and inaugurate the primary school, which is now in full use. At that moment the balance was at $0,-
With the money added to the community fund the coming year, the community decided to invest in the rehabilitation of the clinic and the extention of the maternity part of the clinic. After finishing this they would like 3 sets of latrines in the village and 3 groups of women to clean these and the rest of the garbage in the streets.
With personal donations of guests last year in total we have received: $50.000,- and during the year we spent $13.750,- on the following projects: the finishing of the orphanage, the pre-school, the food for 30 orphans, the cloths for the orphans, the poorest 100 food & donation during Ramadan, 7 benches for elderly in the village, 23 school desks for the primary school, 7 business loans, supported 5 boys at secundary boarding school and selected 6 new ones, Most guest indicate which this money needs to be spent on and we report them accordingly.
For the coming year: So far for the micro-credits we provided them to staff of the lodge, since we have the garantee of their salary to be able to pay them back. The coming year we would like to provide them to all people with a good business plan of Cabaceira Pequena and we ask all people with ambitions to make a plan and inform us about it.
Also in September we will start with lessons for adults in Portuguese speaking, reading and writing and continue with the project that started last year.
The community asked to inform new guest that new donations should preferable be spent on providing new and more micro-credits as they really see many opportunities for many people.
Community fund: Guests staying at the lodge contribute $2,- per person per night to the community within their room-rate. Last year in August the balance was + $1700,- and during the year $2500,- was added. The whole of this amount was used to finish and inaugurate the primary school, which is now in full use. At that moment the balance was at $0,-
With the money added to the community fund the coming year, the community decided to invest in the rehabilitation of the clinic and the extention of the maternity part of the clinic. After finishing this they would like 3 sets of latrines in the village and 3 groups of women to clean these and the rest of the garbage in the streets.
With personal donations of guests last year in total we have received: $50.000,- and during the year we spent $13.750,- on the following projects: the finishing of the orphanage, the pre-school, the food for 30 orphans, the cloths for the orphans, the poorest 100 food & donation during Ramadan, 7 benches for elderly in the village, 23 school desks for the primary school, 7 business loans, supported 5 boys at secundary boarding school and selected 6 new ones, Most guest indicate which this money needs to be spent on and we report them accordingly.
For the coming year: So far for the micro-credits we provided them to staff of the lodge, since we have the garantee of their salary to be able to pay them back. The coming year we would like to provide them to all people with a good business plan of Cabaceira Pequena and we ask all people with ambitions to make a plan and inform us about it.
Also in September we will start with lessons for adults in Portuguese speaking, reading and writing and continue with the project that started last year.
The community asked to inform new guest that new donations should preferable be spent on providing new and more micro-credits as they really see many opportunities for many people.
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