Activists sensitising communities
“I am HIV-positive and live with a physical disability that affects the strength in my arm and leg, making it difficult for me to carry out certain tasks. I often depend on the support of dedicated activists who help me with physically demanding work like building a latrine, reinforcing my house with mud and stakes, and even, when possible, assisting me with cooking. I am supported by 3 health activists, and I will be forever grateful for their dedication and the care they bring into my life.” says Sofia António (fictitious name), a 53-year-old resident of Chipavo community. The three activists work in shifts, ensuring that when one is unavailable, another is always on hand. All 3 serve as Sofia’s emergency contacts.
The Chipavo community, a sandy region, is 1 hour and 30 minutes from the Barada health centre . Due to mobility difficulties, Sofia António depends on activists to transport her by bicycle, which was provided by the project. By bicycle, the journey takes about 30 minutes. “If the activists did not take me to the health centre, it would be very difficult for me to get there. I need to support myself with a stick to walk, as I cannot afford crutches. The roads here are very sandy, which makes walking even more difficult,” explains Sofia António.
A Project that makes a difference
Test in health centre
The project “Improving Healthcare, Hygiene, and Nutrition in Búzi and Chibabava Districts, in Sofala Province, Mozambique”, supports the work of 61 activists in the missions of Estaquinha, Barada, and Mangunde. This project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) with support from Caritas Germany.
Activists of ESMABAMA became a permanent part of Sofia António’s life in 2017, when her orphan niece fell seriously ill with an early age. In the Chipavo community, everyone is familiar with the work of these professionals, and they are the first point of contact when someone needs help. “When my niece fell ill, I immediately called activist Joaquim. He accompanied us to the hospital, and due to her symptoms, she had to take an HIV test, which turned to be positive. With the activists’ support, she started her treatment, and today, at 15 years old, she is doing well. I have cared for her since she was five, after my sister passed away. Besides her, I also look after her two younger siblings,” says Sofia António.
A difficult reality, but with hope
Sofia António’s house
Sofia António and her daughter, Celeste Pedro (33), fictitious name, both have a physical disability and are HIV-positive. Celeste Pedro has four children and struggles with the lack of support from the former partners. Celeste ‘s eldest child is 14, while the youngest is 1 year and 9 months old.
Sofia António and Celeste Pedro emphasise the importance of the activists’ support: “They help us a lot. They do what is expected of them, but as members of the community, they go above and beyond. Without them, we would not have a latrine, and their assistance with household chores is essential.”
Due to the difficulty in producing food in the fields caused by climate change and considering that they rely entirely on agriculture for their livelihood, mother and daughter struggle to maintain a proper diet. For now, they survive by selling only cassava, which is a crop that does not depend heavily on water.
The commitment of health activists
“Helping people in my community means helping my own family because I am a son of this region,” explains Joaquim António Mutecua, a health activist since 2010, currently working with the project.
Health activists in Barada go beyond their duties of community awareness on health and hygiene topics. They identify families in need and offer assistance where possible. “There are families where people live entirely alone or only with minors. Many have physical limitations for various reasons, and we have decided to help them. We do this with great joy because we feel this is our contribution to healthcare.”
To perform their work, the activists received training in areas such as: General first aid, Psychological First Aid and Nutritious foods.
Joaquim António Mutecua – health activist in Barada
Joaquim highlights that first aid training has been particularly useful in his daily work: “Many families turn to us in emergencies. Thanks to my training, I have been able to save lives in cases of dehydration and accidents. What I appreciate most is using locally available resources to provide emergency care until the person reaches the health centre.”
The importance of the project for the community
In general, Sofia and Celeste express their deep gratitude for the project, which, in addition to distributing medication, supplying materials and equipment to health centres, also funds the construction of nurses’ houses and pharmacies and assigns activists to help the community access healthcare. “Without the activists’ support, we might not have been able to maintain our dignity,” concludes Sofia António.
