In Mozambique, illiteracy is not an abstract statistic. Around 40% of young people and adults in the country are unable to read or write, with women being particularly affected by this problem. Many children do not complete primary school, and even fewer have the opportunity to continue their education at higher levels. This is why the school run by the Dehonian Fathers in Alto Molócuè is so important. 

Mozambique is located in southeastern Africa, along the Indian Ocean, and has a population of more than 35 million people. The Dehonian Fathers have been present in the country since 1947, and Alto Molócuè was where they began their ministry in Mozambique. Around two-thirds of the population live in rural areas, where access to basic services, including education, is significantly more difficult. More than 80% of the country’s population live on less than $3 per day.

For decades, the work of the Dehonian Fathers has extended beyond pastoral ministry to include education and support for local communities. Education is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and give the younger generation a chance for a more independent and self-reliant future.

The history of Father Dehon School began in 2012 with a small kindergarten. In 2018, the primary school was established, with children starting their education in the first grade. Each subsequent year, another grade was added. Today, the school has six classrooms, a library, a computer room, a multipurpose room, as well as administrative and social facilities. As Fr. Carlitos Miguel Joaquim, SCJ, explains:

The main beneficiaries of the school are children from the local district, especially those in the most difficult circumstances and from poor families.

The school’s development has brought about another major need – the construction of additional classrooms. The education system in Mozambique consists of three main stages: Grades 1–6 of primary school, Grades 7–9 of the second cycle of primary education, and Grades 10–12 of secondary school. The hope is that in 2027, students will be able to begin Grade 9. However, in order to make this possible, the school needs additional facilities. As Fr. Carlitos Miguel explains:

Considering the educational needs in Mozambique, especially the lack of high-quality education and the limited opportunities available to children from poor families, we want to introduce the secondary school cycle. Our goal is to provide students with a high standard of education and to show local authorities that this is possible through the commitment and motivation of teachers.

The total cost of the project is PLN 890,000. The school needs a new wing containing four classrooms, a teachers’ room, a social area, and bathrooms. Every child, regardless of where they were born, has the right to education, to dream, and to live a dignified life. Together, we can give the children of Alto Molócuè a chance for a better future by building a school that will become a place of learning, growth, and hope.

How to Donate

You can support our project by making a bank transfer to the following accounts:

For $: PL 52 1600 1462 1847 3641 5000 0009; SWIFT: PPAB PLPK
For €: PL 41 1600 1462 1847 3641 5000 0013; SWIFT: PPAB PLPK
For others: IBAN: PL 79 1600 1462 1847 3641 5000 0008; SWIFT: PPAB PLPK
Reference: Construction of a School in Mozambique