To give these people a second chance, “Sei So Frei OÖ” supports its Mozambican partner organisation ESMABAMA with the “School under the Shade Tree” project. The aim is to teach adults basic reading, writing and numeracy skills, thereby opening up new opportunities for them in their everyday lives.
Learning where people live
What makes this project special is its close connection to the local community. Lessons take place directly in the villages – right where education is needed. This eliminates the need for long journeys, which would be a major hurdle for many participants.
Over the course of four years, learners acquire knowledge equivalent to that of a six-year primary school education. This involves not only reading and writing, but also practical skills that are important in everyday life. For example, many participants learn how to calculate sums correctly, fill in forms or read information independently.
An additional challenge is that many adults first have to learn Portuguese. The official language is often taught in class before they can build on this to learn to read and write. This makes the commitment of the participants all the more remarkable; despite their age, they are willing to embark on this demanding learning process.
Literacy with a lasting impact
ESMABAMA currently runs 48 literacy centres in Sofala Province, with more than 2,000 participants. Around 63 per cent of them are women. The centres are integrated into the state education curriculum and work closely with local primary schools. This ensures that the course content complies with official guidelines and that graduates receive a recognised certificate upon completion.
The project also includes the provision of learning materials. ESMABAMA supplies exercise books and writing materials, whilst textbooks are provided by the state. Where shortages arise, the organisation ensures that the additional materials required are made available.
Permanent school buildings improve learning conditions
A significant achievement in recent years has been the construction of classrooms at 13 locations. These small buildings enable lessons to go ahead reliably even during the rainy season and offer shelter from bad weather. At the same time, the permanent classrooms can be used for multiple purposes: in the mornings, primary school children learn there, whilst in the afternoons, literacy courses for adults take place. This creates educational spaces that benefit the entire village community.
#absolutelybrilliant that these literacy centres give adults the opportunity to catch up on basic education and play an active role in shaping their future.
