Beira

SOS Children’s Villages supports individual children, young people and families so that they can thrive (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Mozambique).

More than 530,000 people live in the busy port city of Beira in central Mozambique. The city is an important trading centre for neighbouring countries Zimbabwe and Malawi, with the main exports being food and cotton. In the region, more than 1 in 10 children under 12 have lost one or both of their parents. Even for children who have a family, living conditions in the city are poor, and it is a challenge for families to meet their children’s basic needs.

Since 2011, SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children, young people and families and advocating for their rights in Beira.

43%
Of children in the region are malnourished

High levels of malnutrition

Ongoing food shortages in Mozambique mean that many families cannot afford to buy good, nutritious food. The region around Beira has one of the highest rates of childhood malnutrition in Mozambique: almost half of the children are either underweight or stunted in their development. These children are more likely to be ill, and less likely to regularly attend school. When they do attend school, they often arrive hungry, and so they struggle to concentrate and perform well in their learning.

3 in 4
Children in the region use unhygienic toilets

Poor sanitation

In the region around Beira, 74% of children do not have access to proper sanitation facilities. This means that most children use latrines or makeshift toilets where there is no separation between the child and the waste. Additionally, 1 in 4 children do not have access to safe drinking water. These conditions lead to the spread of infectious diseases such as diarrheal disease, which is one of the main causes of infant death.

Your support makes a difference for children in Beira

SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities to offer a wide range of support that is adapted to the local context. We always work in the best interest of the children, young people and families.
160
Families
Can stay together
130
Children and young people
Grow up in our care
10
Young people
Are supported on their way to independence
Siblings having fun together. They grow up with each other, and often form bonds that last a lifetime (photo: SOS Children’s Villages in Mozambique).

How your support helps in Beira

Strengthening vulnerable families and communities
When parents face hardships, they can sometimes struggle to give children the care they need. SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities. Each family needs different support so that they can stay together. This support can include workshops on parenting and children’s rights. We also run training so that parents can get the skills they need to get a job or start their own businesses. Likewise, we ensure that children can get medical help and go to school.
Caring for children who cannot live with their families
Some children cannot stay with their families, even with additional support. When this happens, they can find a new home in SOS Children’s Villages. Here the children can build safe and lasting relationships. All the children in our care have access to education and healthcare. Wherever possible, we work closely with the children’s family of origin. If children can return to live with their families, we help them adapt to this change.
Supporting young people to become independent
To help young people become confident and independent, our local team works closely with each young person to develop a plan for their future. We support young people and also help them prepare for the labour market and increase their employment prospects. For example, young people can attend workshops and trainings run by SOS Children’s Villages. They also improve their skills through taking part in different projects with local mentors and businesses.