Mozambique in *2021*. Montechimoio village now has drinking water

 

The village of Montechimoio, in Manica province, central Mozambique, has had drinking water following the latest project by the non-governmental organization (NGO) Big Hand, the organization announced today.

 Although there is no official data, close to 800 people, of which 300 children live in Montechimoio, adds the NGO, citing information from the community leader of this village located in the district of Vanduzi.

 In a statement, Big Hand adds that it arrived in Montechimoio after the IDAI cyclone - which began to hit Mozambique on March 4, 2019 and that in total caused more than 600 deaths -, confronting a community that lived without drinking water nor school, deciding to remain in the village and start a support program for children at risk with distribution of school supplies, food and nutrition support plan, as well as medical surveillance," Big Hand's president and program manager told Lusa agency, David Fernandes.

 The covid-19 pandemic made work in the field difficult, but the organization's team continued to intervene, having managed to gather the ecessary amount to build a well that has only just started to work, he said, adding that the population used the water available in ponds. , without conditions of hygiene and safety.

 The NGO now intends to build three classrooms and several bathrooms, to start the process of transforming the school and the community with a view to combating school failure, he said.

 Founded in 2010, Big Hand supports already supported close to 8,000 children in various villages in Mozambique, according to data on the association's website.

 Although the crisis resulting from the covid-19 pandemic makes the organization's work difficult, "people continue to have a huge heart and a giant will to want to change the world and that is why they are contributing", said David Fernandes.

 David Fernandes added that Big Hand has an on-going fundraising campaign -- "A pencil for a school" -- at the cost of one euro per pencil -- aimed at raising funds for the construction of a new school in the village of Montechimoio.

 Big Hand is an NGO aimed at the development and well-being of children living in unfavourable conditions, especially for orphaned girls, ensuring their access to education, health care and nutrition, water and basic sanitation.

 Building schools, investing in equipment and training teachers and distributing seeds are among the areas in which Big Hand operates, in partnership with local agents and inclusive programs designed to prepare children for the challenges of life in close liaison, with the community where they live, says the NGO's website.

 SAISI