MOZAMBIQUE
context
Mozambique’s education system faces numerous challenges shaped by its history, socio-economic conditions, and environmental vulnerabilities. One of the most pressing issues is the ongoing conflict in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, where an armed insurgency has displaced over a million people since 2017. Schools have been destroyed, teachers have fled, and children have been forced to abandon their education due to insecurity.
In addition to conflict, Mozambique faces frequent natural disasters such as cyclones and floods, that often interrupt schooling. Poverty also makes it hard for families to cover basic education costs like uniforms and transport. In rural areas, children are often taken out of school in order to work, and traditional beliefs can discourage caregivers from enrolling their children in formal education – especially girls. Even when children do attend school, the quality of education is low due to teacher shortages, crowded classrooms, and language barriers, as many students speak local languages rather than Portuguese, the language of instruction.
YOUR IMPACT IN MOZAMBIQUE
103,107
Children reached through our programmes.
19,671
Adults reached through our programmes, such as family business grants given to support vulnerable families, helping to ensure their children can remain in school.
88,313
Children reached with mental health support.
what we are doing
Street Child began its work in Mozambique with school rehabilitation programmes in two districts in Cabo Delgado and working with government authorities to identify where support is needed most. We are active members of the Education Cluster, a humanitarian coordination mechanism working to ensure access to safe, equitable and quality education for children and youth affected by the disaster in Mozambique. The cluster is also working to strengthen the capacity of the education system and communities, focusing on improving the quality of education provided.
Cyclone Chido was a destructive tropical cyclone which struck Mozambique in December 2024. Street Child is leading the response in Mecufi district, the region most impacted by the cyclone, in partnership with local organisations CSM – Comité para Saúde de Moçambique and ACCESS Mulher. The programme focuses on restoring education, protecting children, and providing essential relief services such as clean water, shelter, and mental health support. A public appeal for our response raised an additional £50,000 to support urgent needs like school materials, shelter, child protection services, and emergency supplies for displaced families.
Three key projects are supporting this critical response:
The Jersey Project (co-financed by UNICEF) delivers education and child protection in emergencies for 6,000 children and 30 teachers. It creates inclusive learning spaces, provides mental health support training for teachers, and strengthens child protection systems. The project also includes support for children with disabilities and promotes menstrual hygiene for girls.
The Guernsey Overseas Aid Response Project targets broader cyclone-related needs in Cabo Delgado, focusing on classroom reconstruction, learning materials, mental health support, and child protection. It works closely with local NGOs and authorities to build sustainable recovery pathways.
Restoring Education and Ensuring Child Wellbeing in Mecufi, funded by the Medicor Foundation, delivers emergency relief. It restores access to education via temporary learning centres, improves WASH facilities, and provides family survival kits and psychosocial support through multi-purpose centres.
In Cabo Delgado, where ongoing conflict and natural disasters have displaced nearly a million people, Street Child is supporting some of the most vulnerable children and families. With funding from UNICEF and the Swedish Postcode Lottery, and in partnership with local organisations Wiwanana and CSM, the Engage, Educate and Empower (EEE) Programme focuses on child protection, education, mental health, and livelihoods.
Many children in the region face extreme risks, from being out of school to child marriage, exploitation, and forced recruitment. Adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence, while boys are often exposed to abuse and conflict-related threats.
The EEE Programme provides a community-led response, reaching more than 115,000 people across Mueda, Palma, Balama, Montepuez, and Mecufi. This includes over 12,500 children who received tailored support through case management, including help for unaccompanied children and survivors of gender-based violence. By combining education, protection, and livelihood support, the programme strengthens resilience and creates safer futures for displaced and conflict-affected communities.
choose an amount to donate
per month could support a child’s education for a whole year.
per month could help a child stay safe and return to learning during a crisis.
could support a rural teacher in West Africa.
Or enter your own amount. Please give generously!
could provide a learning kit, including basic stationary and textbooks, for a child fleeing conflict.
could provide sports kit, like footballs and nets, for 100 children fleeing conflict in Mozambique.
could buy warm clothing and basic supplies for a family in Ukraine who have fled the ongoing conflict.
Or enter your own amount. Please give generously!
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