Dateline ACT

Mozambique 01/02

People in Kumba village are fighting the hunger

By Eva Berglund, Mozambique

Two years ago news was full with pictures of a flooded country, hit by a cyclone – Mozambique: people taking refuge on top of roofs and trees to escape the water. Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Mozambique, member of Action by Churches Together (ACT) International, assisted people who had lost houses, belongings and fields.

Three hours drive northwest of the capital Maputo is the village of Kumba. Maize fields that ought to be green and bear cobs ready to harvest within a month stand dry and yellow. The hot sun in January burnt what looked promising. Now the women must find other ways of feeding their families. Sweet potatoes and cassava are two alternatives or to buy maize on the market in the village. About 1 000 people live there. For generations they have been making a living through agriculture, hunting and cattle raising. Due to the war people from other areas fled to this village to be more secure. Later, in the year 2000, the floods contributed to more people taking refuge in this area– After the war and the floods some turned back to their places of origin, others remained.

The contrast to the the burnt maize is striking when one walks towards Zacarias Babi´s cassava plantation. Two meters high, green plants are encouraging to look at. Zacarias Babi is a contact farmer and his task is to multiply cassava. When he has plenty he gives cuttings to other farmers. The roots he keeps for his family’s own consumption. If the harvest is good he will sell the surplus. "We need to improve the cassava plantations to fight drought and hunger. Therefore I volunteered to contribute with my experience and a field for multiplication. At the same time I get a chance to learn something new", he explains.

Zacarias Babi is an experienced farmer. Now he can share his knowledge as well as cassava cuttings with others. Cassava is a good complement to the traditional maize since it is more drought tolerant. New, more nutritious, varieties of cassava and also sweet potatoes have been introduced. Close to the plantation is a small river from where Zacarias Babi fetches water for cultivation. He is worried that the river might dry up if he uses it too much. At the same time the water is needed for the vegetables he grows beside the cassava. Together with the water committee for the village he is working on a plan to build a dam on the river.

In the shade of a tree in the middle of Kumba village, ten men and ten women are seated. They have just started a livestock course initiated by LWF. With assistance of an experienced tutor they learn about diseases and treatments. They also get ideas on how to best keep their goats, cattle and chickens. "We have worked with LWF for a long time", says one of the men. "We have built schools and wells. We have tried to fight hunger in different ways. Some have got loans to buy food and sell to others. Others have been engaged in Food-for-work-projects. Dams have been built to irrigate vegetables and fruit trees. We will plant cassava and other resistant crops and we hope to get assistance with tools and seeds so we can plant more vegetables."

The village is organised in different committees and all are in contact with LWF. The planning and implementation of projects and efforts is done according to the needs in the village. "When LWF came, the village and the people existed already, but they gave us light in the darkness. With long-term commitment we have improved our lives through cleaner houses, schools and water. We work together for development", explains one of the women.

Some have started small income generating projects such as fishing, gardening, selling of food, clothes and kitchen utensils or making charcoal. People in Kumba look forward to the new credit program that has been worked out. Some have got loans from a previous program - it is a process to understand how credits work. A responsible committee is to be elected and people will organise themselves into groups or come up with ideas as individuals.

Another way to improve food security is with fruit trees. Ana Sitoi got some plants in 1999 and now oranges, mango and bananas are growing at her homestead. There she demonstrates to others the importance of planting trees. "My children eat fruit and get more vitamins now when I have the trees", says Ana Sitoi. "If we get a good harvest we share with others. Fruit trees were grown here even before. The difference is that LWF actively has encouraged people to eat more fruit and understand how important it is".

Two years ago Nalia Cubai got a loan to start her business. Five months later she had repaid her first loan. Now she is ready to apply for another. Nalia Cubai takes a "chapa" (minibus taxi) to town and buys the goods for her shop. She sells a small variety of items such as soap, sugar, rice, oil, soft drinks, pens and exercise books. "So far I have only got a small profit. I wish to have more so that I can improve my life. The problem is the cost of transport and increasing prices." Even if the profit is not too much yet, Nalia Cubai is hopeful. "I think it is possible to manage with my business. God will help me. If I get enough to buy the goods, pay back the loan, eat, dress, improve my house and my shop I am pleased. No big things – just enough to have a better life and make sure people here can get what they need from my shop."

The primary school is located in the midst of Kumba. Two blocks with almost 200 pupils The school was built in 1996 with assistance from LWF. Before the school was built the shade of some trees served as classroom. In front of the school buildings papaya and bananas are planted and behind one block a water tank will soon be ready to use. It will give water both to people and plants.

Despite the fact that the maize harvest might come to naught this year, it is growing in Kumba. New crops, fruits, animals and people. The walk is slow and with small steps but it moves forward. Many show a strong will to work for change and are proud to be able to feed their families with the fruits of their own work - be it a cassava plantation or a dam, a school or an orange tree, a small shop or to assist others.