One of Oxfam's past projects in Mozambique
At the Chalk Face
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War in Mozambique meant that a whole generation missed
out on education
Photo: Joel Chiziane/Oxfam |
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By 1992, war in Mozambique had destroyed or closed about 5,700
primary schools. Today only 30 per cent of children are enrolled
in school. Oxfam has joined local communities to build schools and
student hostels so that children in rural areas no longer have to
walk for hours to reach school.
Bonifacio Jaquesson, aged 17, is a student at the Lussa EP1 primary
school. His family struggles hard to ensure that he gets an education.
He is the only one of six children who goes to school. Once he leaves,
he will help pay for the others.
"Before this school was built we had another one here in Lussa,
which was a bit further away. It wasn't a building like this, but
was made out of traditional materials - wood and grass.
"I like this school because now we have desks and chairs and
we didn't have these in the old school. My class is very big. There
are about 70 children in it - between 12 years and 18 years old.
I don't find this too much of a problem though.
"As well as school fees we also have to buy exercise books
and pens. I know my parents find this a real struggle so I want
to do well in school, not only for myself, but as a thank you to
my father."
Project supported in 1999.
Introduction
|| History
|| Geography
& Environment
People
& Society || Factfile
|| Oxfam in Mozambique
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