Mozambique stretches for 1,535 miles along Africa's scenic southeast coast and is predominantly characterized by plateaus that rise to meet mountains in the west and northwest. The country borders the Mozambique Channel between South Africa and Tanzania.
Before a peace accord was achieved in October 1992, civil war devastated Mozambique's economy. Since then, the government has initiated a series of economic reforms, including expansive privatization of previously state-owned business. As a result, inflation rates are down, foreign exchange rates have stabilized and the economy grew at an annual rate of 10 percent between the years 1997-1999.
Even so, Mozambique's economy continues to be dependent upon foreign assistance to balance its budget. Several years of severe flooding in the past decade have strained the economy again while leaving hundreds of citizens homeless. Despite past growth, it remains one of the poorest and most underdeveloped countries in the world.
About Habitat for Humanity Mozambique
Habitat for Humanity Mozambique was founded in 2000. Since then, HFHMz has worked with poor communities, local volunteers and international volunteer teams to build hundreds of houses in Maputo Province and up country in the provinces of Manica and Gaza.
HFHMz houses were originally made of cement blocks, but the program changed its technique over the last few years to adopt local materials and methods in order to lower costs, increase efficiency and community involvement and to begin reaching the very poorest families in each community as rapidly as possible.
In 2010, Twin Cities Habitat began allocating a portion of the money raised locally to support Habitat Mozambique. In addition to this financial support, Twin Cities Habitat organizes an annual trip of its supporters to volunteer with Habitat Mozambique. To learn more about how you participate in an upcoming Global Village trip, click here.
Stories and Pictures from Past Trips
Read reflections and view pictures from the 2011 Global Village trip to Mozambique.
Information on Upcoming Trips to Mozambique
Read information here on how you can participate in the next Habitat Global Village trip to Mozambique.
Family Stories
Click on the photo below to read more about one Habitat Mozambique family.
