Offices and Departments

Peace Corps Mozambique

History:  

Mozambique's first Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) began their service in January 1999.

PCVs:

There currently are 36 Peace Corps Volunteers and two serving in the Crisis Corps program in Mozambique. Twenty-one teach English as a Foreign Language and fourteen teach Science.  One PCV is working is working in collaboration with PSI targeting in school youth programs in Mozambique.  Two Crisis Corps Volunteers are working in post reconstruction after last year's flooding. The volunteers come from all over the U.S., from Connecticut to Washington State to Florida to Hawaii.  PCVs in Mozambique range in age from 22 to 65, and come diverse ethnic and academic backgrounds.

What:

Peace Corps Mozambique Volunteers are assigned to teach English and Science in secondary and technical schools.  Their work includes providing quality instruction to both female and male students; peer coaching other teachers; assisting in the development of educational materials, and linking the classroom with the community, particularly in the areas of public health and environmental protection.

Where:

Peace Corps Volunteers currently are serving in the provinces of Maputo, Gaza, Inhambane, Sofala and Manica.  PCVs live and work under challenging conditions.  Many classrooms are without desks or books.  Boarding schools struggle to provide adequate living quarters and meals for their students.  PCV housing ,  provided by the Ministry of Education in accordance with Peace Corps' country agreement, range from reed huts to rehabilitated or new cement homes for teachers.

Results:

Thirty-two PCVs taught English and Science to approximately 8,000 Mozambican students in 21 general secondary and technical schools in 2000.

PCVs worked with and supported 32 Mozambican English and biology teachers in working on lesson planning, developing visual aids and procuring resources.

PCVs incorporate pertinent themes such as HIV/AIDS education and prevention, environmental education, and landmine awareness into their lessons.

PCVs participated in community activities and assumed additional school responsibilities as class adivisors, sports coach, advisor to English and biology clubs, peer education groups on HIV/AIDS and girls education, theater group leader, and coordinator of field trips and art/essay contests.

PCVs corresponded with teachers and students in the U.S. through Peace Corps' World-Wise Schools program, which is increasing awareness and understanding between Americans and Mozambicans.