Our goal is to ensure that the Mozambique LNG Project brings with it an improved quality of life for local communities in the Palma District, Cabo Delgado Province and the country more broadly. We recognize the importance of supporting the sustainable development of the local education system to foster the development of a capable workforce and support a developing regional economy. For this purpose, we consider a continuum of educational investment programs focusing on primary, secondary and tertiary education, as well as technical and vocational education.
The education-based programs help upgrade educational infrastructure and education service delivery as well as develop skills and knowledge that directly help communities expand their economic opportunities.
Improving reading and writing
In collaboration with the Mozambique Ministry of Education and Human Development and the Canadian non-governmental organization, CODE, we have invested in the Better Education through Teacher Training and Empowerment for Results (BETTER) program.
The program aims to improve the quality of reading and teaching-learning processes in the Cabo Delgado, Niassa, Tete and Maputo provinces. The BETTER program has helped publish more than 60,000 books in local languages. It has also included 37 teachers from Palma Secondary School, who were trained in reading and writing techniques, including the use of e-learning platforms
Road Safety Campaign
Launched in August of 2014, the project partners sponsored a road safety campaign called Supatxenja or “Super Changer”, in the Pemba, Palma and Mocímboa da Praia districts.
The campaign is designed to increase awareness of and promote safe road-related behaviors such as “Stop, Look, Think, Go.” Implemented by AZUL Consultoria, the original two-year pilot campaign included the organization of 10 large public events integrating theater, music, painting, workshops, competitions, and cultural activities to reach approximately 70,000 people and 64 schools.
In December 2018, the second phase of the Supatxenja campaign was launched in the Palma District in response to the increase of vehicles on the Afungi Peninsula due to the construction of Quitunda Village and associated activities. This phase of the campaign is being implemented in partnership with the Palma District government, the Provincial Directorate of Transport and Communications, the National Institute for Terrestrial Transport, and local road police.
Going forward, a new approach to Road Safety integrating a VIA program is being designed. The VIA program is a Global Road Safety Education Program for a New Generation that was created by the Corporate Foundations of Michelin and Total S.A. with the support of the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP), the road safety organization hosted within the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The new road safety program will cover Palma District, Pemba, Mocimboa da Praia and Mueda corridors and is due to be launched in Q2/2020.
Community Radio
In recognition of the importance of radio to support community outreach, we supported the Social Communication Institute of Mozambique (ICS) in establishing the Palma Community Radio. The Palma Community Radio reaches communities within a 60 km radius of Palma Sede, the main town of Palma District where the community radio is located.
To improve radio engagement and mobilize community members to participate in social investment activities, we developed the Engaging Stakeholders through Community Radio initiative. The initiative includes broadcasting key project-related information and updates as well as locally relevant information about resettlement activities and timetables, road safety, health, agriculture and fisheries.