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MozambiqueMasthead_70327_March26 Nampula Province, Mozambique

Mozambique

With your support, ChildFund Mozambique has helped kids get a strong start in life since 2005.

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Mozambique has faced numerous challenges since it became independent from Portugal in 1975, including severe drought, civil war, numerous natural disasters and the world’s eighth-highest HIV infection rate. Mozambique has seen its economy improve since the mid-1990s; however, many families still live below the poverty line and rely on subsistence agriculture for their food and livelihoods. The country also has high infant mortality rates, with 42-45 deaths per 1,000 live births. Up to 60% of rural residents lack a clean source of drinking water, leaving children particularly vulnerable to serious waterborne diseases.

Our Work in Mozambique

Since 2005, ChildFund Mozambique has worked to help children grow up healthy, educated, skilled and safe.

ChildFund Mozambique supports children’s health across every stage of childhood, ensuring that their evolving needs are met as they grow. For infants ages 0–5, we help strengthen early childhood health and nutrition through essential immunizations, breastfeeding support, clean water and sanitation initiatives, and caregiver education — anchored by the Growing With You program model, which integrates early childhood development, health, nutrition and protection. For children ages 6–14, ChildFund promotes healthy, safe learning environments by providing nutrition education, improving water and sanitation facilities in schools, and advancing child protection. We also engage parents, teachers and students through interactive learning and awareness activities to ensure that every child can learn in a supportive, violence‑free setting. For youth ages 15–24, the focus shifts to supporting adolescents with critical life skills and comprehensive health education so they can make informed decisions and transition into healthy adulthood.

ChildFund Mozambique supports children's learning journey by ensuring that every child has access to quality, inclusive and nurturing educational opportunities. We invest in early childhood development (ECD) by establishing and improving community‑based preschools and ECD centers, training caregivers and teachers, and creating play‑rich, child‑friendly environments that nurture cognitive, emotional and social growth. ChildFund also works closely with parents to encourage early learning at home through storytelling, play and positive interaction, laying a strong foundation for school readiness. For school-aged children, ChildFund enhances educational quality by strengthening teaching methods, providing learning materials and supporting teacher training as part of our child‑centered, participatory approaches. We also work to reduce barriers to education — especially for girls and other traditionally marginalized groups — through school supplies, uniforms and scholarships, all while fostering safe, inclusive learning environments. For youth, ChildFund expands educational pathways by supporting secondary education and offering technical and vocational training, career guidance, mentorship and opportunities for entrepreneurship. By linking education with practical life and livelihood skills, ChildFund Mozambique supports young people to transition confidently from school into meaningful employment or further studies.

ChildFund Mozambique nurtures essential life skills from early childhood through young adulthood. For the youngest children, we focus on supporting parents and caregivers with training in positive parenting, early childhood development and the importance of play — creating nurturing environments where children can build strong cognitive, social and emotional foundations. As children enter school, ChildFund integrates critical thinking, communication and problem‑solving into everyday learning while also offering sports, arts, and other extracurricular activities that strengthen teamwork, leadership and creativity. Finally, we help youth develop advanced skills that support a successful transition to adulthood, including vocational training, entrepreneurship programs and life skills education in financial management, personal health and civic engagement.

ChildFund Mozambique protects children by strengthening child protection systems, supporitng families and youth, and mobilizing entire communities to uphold children’s rights. Working in close collaboration with local governments, civil society organizations and community leaders, we advocate for stronger policies and legislation that safeguard children from abuse, exploitation and neglect. At the community level, ChildFund raises awareness about child rights, promotes zero tolerance for violence and supports the creation of protective mechanisms such as child protection committees and safe school initiatives. Families receive training to recognize early signs of harm, prevent neglect and ensure children grow up in secure, nurturing environments, while young people are equipped with knowledge on community violence, human trafficking and online safety so they can protect themselves and advocate for their peers. ChildFund also fosters child‑ and youth‑led advocacy spaces, including child parliaments, where children can voice concerns and participate in decisions that affect their well‑being. Through community outreach, media engagement and partnerships with government agencies, ChildFund Mozambique works to ensure that every child is aware of their rights, supported by caring adults and surrounded by a community committed to their safety and dignity.