........Food Safety project, Nacala, Mozambique

Since 2005, ESSOR has a project in Nacala a Velha, North of Mozambique. An original project considering the local situation : 5 years after, let’s have a picture of what’s happening

The aim of the project is to improve the level of food security by consolidating agricultural skills of 350 women.

Theory, practice and bench test are ESSOR’s specificities are the bases of our activities.
A lot of topics have been approached such as improvement of manioc growing and the introduction of new varieties stronger against blight like the sweet potato. Some have been tested and approved : market gardening, laying hen farming, animal vaccination against illness.
In total, it’s more than 1800 sessions done.
To help the setting up, ESSOR supports the women in material the first year and then in loan with lower interest and sale of lower prices products (tools, hens ..).

In 2007, we looked at broadening our activities with the creation of a farming training center for young people and adults.
In 2010, we opened a  “Ecole familiale rurale” (literary translation: the rural family school). with 52 students in a work/study farming program.

We needed a lot of imagination to build this school in a remote area with no energy or water.
Thanks to the local population’s motivation, we could took up the challenge.

The assessment of the first session is brillant :
Women’s habits and vision have changed. The Agriculture became their main activities, their source of income and their part in the society. They are now assuming the home expending, especially for children education and food. Alberta from Namaca just bought her husband a hat.

Those women who saw the school under construction just beside their home dream to send their children such as Atija who, during a conversation asks “how much is a training for one children” while her elder son is 5 years old.