The crowd bursts into song as we arrive. With happy syncopated clapping and harmonizing, the group escorts us to the benches that have been prepared for our arrival. After the usual formal introductions, the dialogue about their health program begins. The problems are similar to those in other places: The health center is too far. There is not enough clean water. Nearly everyone has either lost a child due to illness, or knows someone who has. Malnutrition remains a problem. Malaria continues to kill people. About 12% of the population lives with HIV/AIDS.

After the usual formal introductions, the dialogue about their health program begins. The problems are similar to those in other places: The health center is too far. There is not enough clean water. Nearly everyone has either lost a child due to illness, or knows someone who has. Malnutrition remains a problem. Malaria continues to kill people. About 12% of the population lives with HIV/AIDS. 

This is not, however, a complaint session.

We are visiting with a community in the Zambezia Province of Mozambique that has invested itself in the health of all its members.

With support from World Renew and the Diocese of Niassa, eight communities in this region are striving to reduce mortality and improve nutrition through a program called Health, Intelligence, Growth, and Knowledge.

Changes can already be seen.

The resource-stretched government local health center is already benefiting from the commitment of the program’s community health volunteers. On the day of our visit, they are busily helping to weigh babies. These health volunteers sacrifice their time weekly so that paid health workers can help more people. The paid staff members admit they were slightly reticent at first, but they now appreciate the assistance. “We thought we were just going to teach,” said one worker, “but now we are learning too.”

The health center now has an active Co-Management Committee which brings together government employees and community members to ensure the health center runs well. Recently, the inverter for the health center’s solar system stopped working. Instead of waiting for an outside organization to assist them, health volunteers and staff together contributed their own funds to buy a new inverter and door locks, a quite exceptional response in an environment plagued by dependency.

Back in the village, community members have carefully prepared a drama about the importance of taking pregnant women to the health center for childbirth. Disguised in the humor, key messages about gender and health come through clearly. There is great acting talent here!

The commitment of the health volunteers is inspiring. Some of them are walking or biking long distances in order to serve at the health center, or to receive training. In the coming months, formal lessons and an exchange visit are planned. What motivates them to sacrifice so much to help others? “We want to help our community,” says one volunteer. “We want to learn new things,” offers another. But most of all, replies their colleague, “God sees what we are doing.”

Praise!

  • Good visits throughout North America and uneventful travels

  • Drought response initiatives completed in Malawi, Zambia

  • Good harvests in the region

Pray!

  • Smooth wrap-up of USA time and re-entry into Malawi

  • Quick language acquisition

  • Guidance about which church to attend

Blessings,

Steve Sywulka

Team Leader
World Renew Southern Africa