A gap year in Mozambique
Gap years in Mozambique
The spectacular shoreline of Mozambique is plastered across travel brochures. With white sands, turquoise waters, and affordable beach accommodation, this country is definitely keeping up appearances. They don’t tell you about the high mortality rate, the poverty line, or the depleted hordes of elephants. Yes, tour guides can take you swimming with dolphins and walking in mangrove forests; but you’ll learn far more – about yourself and the Mozambican people – on a gap year experience. Keep reading for a gap opportunity that really matters.
Gap Year Opportunities
Mozambique is hailed by other African countries for its remarkable financial growth over the last twenty years. After years of colonisation, changes to the infrastructure – and world loans – helped the country to grow its GDP by 10% year after year. But behind the scenes, half the nation lives in poverty, and AIDS plagues an entire generation.
Childcare opportunities abound in Mozambique. 15% of adults have contracted AIDS and, shockingly, VSO predicts that the life expectancy will be just 36 by 2010. The AIDS epidemic is wiping out an entire generation, leaving thousands of orphans at the mercy of national and international aid workers. Volunteers are needed to help with mobile medical services, sports coaching and childcare in the community.
Education is another area of need, with children – particularly girls – seldom getting to complete primary school. Volunteers can help teach English but also improve awareness of the importance education, and promote women’s rights.
Conservation is one way that Mozambique is restoring its economy and attracting tourists. On the coast volunteers are needed to help monitor the dolphin, turtle and fish numbers. Helping in this area is a great way to explore the marine wildlife; Mozambique’s coast is a perfect base for diving, snorkelling, dolphin swims and boat trips.
About Mozambique
After an 11-year struggle, Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975. The Mozambican Liberation Front, once they’d got power, had no knowledge or experience with which to govern the country; after a few years Mozambique was almost bankrupt. Resistance groups had been building in the hills, and at this point a ten-year civil war ensued. In 1992, peace agreements were signed and since then, the country has achieved a remarkable economic and social turnaround. Investors and tourists alike are drawn to Mozambique, which is now tipped as one of Africa’s fastest-moving nations.
Seeing Mozambique
Languishing on the East African coastline, Mozambique has an enviable geographic position. Most towns are situated to take advantage of the seascape, a beautiful ocean of turquoise blue with sandy islands that emerge at low tide.
Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, overlooks the ocean – and its islands – from a pretty clifftop spot. Just south of the town lies the Maputo Elephant Reserve, which was depleted by years of civil war but is now rebuilding its population. Travelling up-shore, you’ll come across many more colonial towns and a dramatic contrast in the landscape. From glamorous, coral-reefed Pemba in the South to dusty, mountainous Beira in the midlands and agriculturally-rich Quissanga in the North, the diversity is breathtaking.
Mozambique Island, with a population of 60,000 people, was the capital during the Portugese era. It’s characterised by ancient colonial architecture, a busy trading port, and a well-defended fort. And wildlife watchers should make a trip to the protected Bazaruto National Park – five islands which are home to a wide array of birds and ocean-life.