World Relief - Mozambique

In Mozambique, twice a month, more than 30 Pastor’s Networks come together to sing, pray and challenge each other to answer the biblical call to serve the poor and suffering. Each congregation has devoted volunteers who meet regularly to share experiences and lessons learned. They are active in health promotion, economic empowerment and in caring for the sick and dying. 

Across Mozambique, the church is joining in the fight to transform their communities. 

The Church at Work

AIDS Prevention and Care—Ten years ago, a lack of medical options and the stigma associated with AIDS meant many people chose not to find out their official status. As World Relief and trained volunteers challenge people’s perceptions of how HIV/AIDS spreads, the stigma is slowly breaking down. People get tested and those who are HIV positive learn how to stay healthy. Those living with AIDS are no longer shunned but visited twice a week by volunteers delivering soap, food and basic household items. The volunteers also bathe those suffering from AIDS, clean their home and listen to their concerns. Other volunteers care for orphans—offering physical and emotional support.

Child Development—To stop the spread of HIV, schools and churches host after-school clubs to encourage youth to make wise choices. Trained volunteers speak openly about sexuality and challenge youth to remain abstinent until marriage. Youth meet together weekly to sing, study Scripture and support each other in their decision to protect themselves—physically and emotionally. Children grow in favor before God, their peers, their parents and their elders. 

Maternal & Child Health—Ten years ago, when a child got sick or died—mothers blamed witchcraft because they did not know the truth about disease. Today, World Relief’s “care group model” trains volunteer health promoters, ensuring every household in five health districts learns the truth about hygiene, nutrition, immunizations, diarrhea, malaria control, etc. The result—communities change as families protect and care for their health.

Economic Empowerment—Since 1994, World Relief has provided small loans to small business owners, mostly in urban marketplaces. In a country where four out of five people make their living off the land, economic empowerment means a new agricultural business model. AfricaWorks, established in 2007 by World Relief, is a local provider of training and support in small-scale agricultural programs. Participants receive tools to increase the yield of their land or to start small chicken projects. These economic opportunities allow them to provide for their families. Many of those who benefit from AfricaWorks are volunteers in the HIV-AIDS and or Maternal and Child health programs.