Oundle School
AfricaLink 2008
The Oundle AfricaLink Community Aid project in Mozambique was successfully completed in July 2006. Twenty-three pupils spent the year leading up to the project raising over £10 000 though a variety of fund-raising initiatives. This money was used to build a clinic and a hydroponic farm for a local community in a remote rural area of Mozambique, Mashungu Village, near the Indian Ocean tourist resort of Pomene Lodge. This followed a similar project from Oundle in 2004. It was described by the Rt. Rv. Richard Chartres, Bishop of London, as a prime example of Oundle’s “Abraham Spirit” in the 450th Commemoration Service in St Paul’s Cathedral.
In February 2007 the southern coastline of Mozambique was hit by Cyclone Favio, a Category Four tropical storm, and the worst ever experienced by Mozambique. The town of Vilanculos was completely destroyed. Pomene Lodge and the nearby Mashungu Clinic were severely damaged by 170 mph winds and a 4 metre tidal surge. The 2008 AfricaLink project rebuilt the clinic, with a new roof, new water supply, solar panels, generator and battery system, housing for the clinic staff as well as further equipment and supplies for the clinic. Work is ongoing to reestablish the Hydroponic Project, expand staff accommodation and to build a maternity ward.
The Clinic
The local community in Mashungu had to travel more than 40 kms to the nearest clinic for the most basic level of medical treatment. Our clinic, situated on a hill overlooking the Pomene estuary, is staffed, equipped and supplied with drugs by the Ministry of Health, and deals with minor injuries and illnesses, and provides regular Doctor’s clinics, mother and child clinics and AIDS awareness programmes. The project was set up and continues to be supervised by the staff of Pomene Lodge.
The Hydroponic Farm
A reservoir next to the clinic gravity feeds water down the hill to a hydroponic irrigation system. A number of farmers from the local community are responsible for cultivating areas of the farm. They are provided with high quality hybrid seeds and hydroponic fertilizers. Fresh produce is sold to the local tourist resorts as well as to the local community and all profits go to the farmers. The aim was to provide some of the neediest members of the community with a sustainable source of income.The 2008 Trip
The group flew out to Johanesburg and were taken to the Kruger National Park for a three day safari where they learned a great deal about South African wildlife and ecology, and then travelled by road up through Mozambique. This was a fascinating insight into the life and culture of Mozambique, one of the world’s poorest countries, recovering and rebuilding from many years of war. The remainder of the trip was spent at Pomene Lodge where the pupils spent time working on the project, painting the clinic, making bricks for the reservoir, planting seeds and laying irrigation pipes for the farm. Getting to the project involved a boat trip across the estuary, a muddy walk through a mangrove swamp and through the African bush. A short Youtube video can be seen below:
What next? July 2010
The clinic and hydoponic project will need continuing development and support and AfricaLink will be providing this in the years to come. Fund raising continues and a new group of Oundelians will be assembled to travel to Mozambique in July 2010 to set up a new community aid project. As well as the clinic and hydroponic project, we are interested in working with a local school to establish new facilities.
Interested in getting involved?
All donations to the project will be gratefully received. We are proud to confirm that 100% of money donated will be spent on the project itself. The easiest way to donate is online through our JustGiving website: http://www.justgiving.com/oundleschoolafricalink. Gift Aid is automatically processed in these online donations.
Cheques made out to Oundle School can also be sent to Andrew Martens, 36 South Rd, Oundle PE8 4BU. If you are interested in joining the 2010 group or would like to find out more, please get in touch with the Project Leader, Andrew Martens.
Andrew Martens