History of Mozambique

The southern African Mozambique has a population of over 17 million and is approximately 17 times as large as the Netherlands. It was a Portuguese colony until 1975. The independence in 1975 directly resulted in a struggle of power between the communist Frelimo and the westerly oriented Renamo. Both parties applied the scorched earth policy: villages were burned down, inhabitants killed or abducted and boy soldiers (children) were forced to kill their parents to prove their loyalty. Hundreds of thousands of people and children lost their lives due to war, starvation or illness. In 1992 the parties reached an agreement with difficulty and the reconstruction of a ruined country started. No infrastructure, no economy, no functioning government, food supply, health care, education etc. In addition, millions of adults and children were traumatized by the horrors of the war, 10 thousands of handicaps no longer able to function physically, no health care system to help them. However, with foreign aid, assistance slowly started and the reconstruction on the ruins of a totally destroyed country began. Over one million landmines were swept, mines that still today cause a lot of victims. Both sides planted them during the war. Some minefields have a warning sign, but most are not indicated and are only discovered when somebody is ripped apart due to an explosion. There are also a lot of weapons in the country and also many desperate poor people who use weapons to rob others. This did not occur previously to the war.

Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world. The country receives foreign aid, but unfortunately the distribution is not well organized. The relatively richer South, takes most of the financial aid, consequently leaving the enormous poverty in the North far behind (Mocuba, Bernadette’s station is in the North). In addition, there is enormous corruption and little confidence in the possibilities of the country and its future.

The results of poverty and the lack of knowledge and tools have an enormous impact on the population. Daily, many people die due to a lack of hygiene and even far more due to illnesses such as malaria and aids. Through “social services” we learned of a class of 50 pupils of which 49 were contaminated with aids! Incredible figures and a thoroughly sad picture for the future of Mozambique….