The EsMaBaMa and project

The EsMaBaMa and project takes its name from the four Missions of Estaquinha, Machanga, Barada and Mangunde, located in the south of the Sofala province, in Mozambique, and overseen by the Comboni Missionaries.

"Project EsMaBaMa" refers to a group of activities concerning the re-construction of the four Missions, which were severely damaged by the civil war (1975-1992).

The project has the objectives of reorganizing Schools, Boarding Schools and and health-care centers, ensuring relative economical autonomy through development of agriculture and farming.

The idea of the project emerged right after the 1992 peace treaty. The Archdiocese of Beira hoped to give a concrete answer to the urgent needs of the local population (ca. 300,000 people) living in the districts of Buzi, Chibabava and Machanga, especially in the sectors of education and health-care, to offer a tangible contribution to the reconstruction and reconciliation of the Country.

Currently, EsMaBaMa provides access to school to over 7,700 students (2011), the majority of which would have no means to get an education otherwise.

Objectives

Reinforce education and health care in the three districts of Southern Sofala province.

Improve the quality of teaching and reception of students in the Schools of the Missions.

Specifically

Patronize the access to education of youth living in the three districts, with particular attention to girls education.

Fight illiteracy especially among women.

Guarantee accurate information about prevention and treatment of diseases, especially HIV/AIDS, to the local population and especially to students.

Develop agriculture and animal breeding in the Missions, to ensure a balanced diet to boarding school students and to prepare a framework such as Schools and Health Centers can be self-sufficient.

Promote the economic and social development of the populations of the three districts by creating jobs, better education (literacy classes, evening classes, etc), and by sharing the production techniques implemented by EsMaBaMa with the local population.

Instruct students with agricultural and breeding techniques.