Mozambique

Background

• Droughts in the 1980s and early 1990s led to severe food shortages and famine. Today Mozambique is still struggling to repair the damage that has been done. In addition, in 2000 and 2002 Mozambique was hit by devastating floods which destroyed the homes and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people.
• The population of Mozambique is estimated at 20 million, of which 50% are illiterate, only 23% are urbanised, and life expectancy is 36.5 years.
• HIV and AIDS remains one of the greatest threats to development and, according to the UNAIDS 2005 statistics, Mozambique has an HIV infection rate of 16.1% for people aged 15 to 49.
• Indeed as a result of this disease it is estimated that 17% of school teachers will die by 2012 which will of course have a negative effect on the entire education system. However, capacity to respond effectively to the epidemic is hindered by the lack of adequate human, technical, financial and institutional capacities.

What We Do

Mozambique is in a precarious position. It has emerged from war and made a smooth enough transition to peace, but it lacks the structural strength to connect safely to the volatile global market; it needs to build capacity and nurture its youth. The concept of Sport for Development has been embraced by the Vice Minister of Youth and Sport. Right To Play supports the Government of Mozambique’s efforts to incorporate Sport for Development in the countries’ policies regarding social welfare, education and health.

So Far

7400 Children and youth receive regular sport and play activities in and around Maputo, and 264 Coaches have been given the training to help them become genuine community leaders.