Dr. Lorne Parker: Mozambique Update

 

Dr. Parker shared with us many of the challenges that take place when "tourists" see the lack of infrastructure and funds available to help fix buildings, services or provide basic needs. This challenge is often, people remarking that something needs to be done, leaving and then doing nothing. Dr. Parker made the same remark, but the difference, as a Rotarian, he rallied others to help.

 

The key ingredient to any international work, is the ongoing communications and no "one and done" kind of mentality. Many humanitarian projects would build and dumped the school and leave. We must remember that we cannot apply Canadian context to a third world country. We must  stay involved. Dr. Parker is intimately involved and has another site visit is planned for May 2016.

 

The school in question had no permanent classrooms as a cyclone took out the school. Children were being taught in grass huts and under trees. In other words, there was no protection from the weather. In the beginning, there were only 300 students and now, more than 2,000 attend the school. Many walking far distances to start an education. The school is currently grade 1 to grade 10. There are about 60 students per classroom right now. The school offers a morning class, afternoon class and an evening adult class to accommodate the volume. A well was made for the school by Rotarians and it does have electrical services. The Mozambique government does pay for the electricity and teachers.

 

The $5,000 from Riverview Rotary has gone a long way. Total reconstruction is about 50% complete of the $50,000 needed. Lorne is applying for a $25,000 matching grant to help with the work.

 

Portuguese is the only official language with numerous African dialects. This isn't a problem but a challenge. Most of our teaching resources are in English and Portuguese that is sent over. A new school is on the horizon because of the number of youth now attending school. The school has become the community center/hub where other gatherings are taking place like weddings.

 

Additionally, you have to take a more holistic approach to building the schools. The project also supplies teaching resources each year and hires a local man to help take care of the maintenance of the building for $5,000 a year.

 

Lorne explained that local contractors are key to building the facilities and not just any local business. Lorne will only work with a local business that has an apprentice approach. Thanks to this model, two new construction companies were created. All the resources were sourced locally to help stimulate the economy. Rotarians don't have to go out and paint the school. These acti

 

How do you control where the money is going? The Director of the school is a trusted friend. Lorne travels to Mozambique once a year and receipts are kept for everything.

Do students have to pay? No, government takes care of the teachers and the electricity; however, there is no census data. It is unknown how many children are in the area.

 

Thank you Riverview Rotary for your support.