Global Village’s Payment Policies and Procedures guide
applies to everybody who commits to a GV trip, so please
read this carefully. We hope the following guide also proves
helpful for those of you who are fund raising the financial
support necessary to make your trip a reality. Be sure to
review the information here before beginning your fundraising
efforts. These guidelines are in place to ensure that
you have the opportunity to join others in the mission of
Habitat affiliates around the world to help build decent,
affordable houses in partnership with low-income families.
Deposit and Balance
Once you are invited to join a Global Village team, you must
confirm your place on the team by submitting a nonrefundable
and nontransferable deposit to Habitat for Humanity
International in the amount of $350. The balance of the trip
payment (trip cost minus the $350 deposit) is due no later
than 45 days prior to departure (May 10)
Submitting payments
All payments toward your trip must be made in U.S. dollars
to Habitat for Humanity International, and designated to the
Global Village department (see "coding" info below).
Payments may be submitted by personal check, money order,
MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover.
You or your donors may submit funds by credit card online.
Go to www.habitat.org/gv and click on the link called "Donate in Support of a Global Village Trip”. You can also submit funds by telephone by calling the GV customer service coordinator at (800) 422-4828, Ext. 7530.
To submit payments online or over the phone, you will need:
your credit card
your eight-digit Habitat ID number
GV event code for Mozambique, which is GV 8125.
Participants and donors who submit funds by credit card will receive an automatic e-mail acknowledgment that the payment was received.
Checks and money orders must be made payable to
Habitat for Humanity International and mailed to:
Habitat for Humanity International
Global Village department
P.O. Box 369
Americus, GA 31709-0369
Note: It may take up to two weeks for donations to post to
the team’s account.
Your deposit and any payments you submit toward the
cost of your trip will automatically be credited toward satisfying
your financial obligation only when coded as per the instructions.
Coding your donations
For a donation to be credited toward your trip, your
personal eight-digit Habitat ID number and GV event
code for Mozambique (GV8125) must be included on all funds submitted to the
Global Village program on your behalf.
For online credit card payments
Include your eight-digit Habitat ID number and GV event code in
the fields provided.
For personal checks or money orders
Please write the eight-digit Habitat ID number above the
name and address in the upper left corner of the
check, and the GV event code on the memo line located
in the lower left corner.
If you are uncertain of your eight-digit Habitat ID
number or the GV event code, please contact your
team leader.
Funding your trip
• Fund-raising Web site
Point your Web browser to www.habitat.org/gv/create.html and in just a few minutes
you can create a personalized fund-raising Web page for your trip. You can then direct potential donors to your Web site where they can learn more about the Global
Village program, HFHI and your specific trip. More information is in this blog on the post called "Fundraising Ideas"
• Matching gifts
Contact your company’s matching gift
officer prior to submitting a matching gift form. Not all
companies’ matching-gift policies allow for the matching
of participation fees. If applying for matching gifts,
notify your team leader.
Note: Matching gift funds may only be used to offset the
final balance owed if they are received by GV at least 45
days before the trip departs.
• Tax deductibility
Funding raised toward the cost of a
Global Village trip also includes the cost of food, lodging and
transportation during the trip. Only a portion of the required
trip payment supports the charitable purpose of the hosting
Habitat program. Depending on the participant’s country of
origin, this trip’s cost may or may not be tax-deductible. Please
consult a tax adviser concerning your specific situation.
• Acknowledging donations
All donors who contribute
via check or money order payable to Habitat for Humanity
International, or make a credit card donation designated
to a Global Village team, are sent acknowledgment letters
by Habitat for Humanity International. Those who
donate online (via a personalized Web page or via the
link “Donate in Support of a Global Village Trip”) receive
a prompt e-mail confirmation that the donation was
received, and will also be mailed an acknowledgement
letter. Discourage your supporters from sending cash,
as Habitat for Humanity International cannot acknowledge
cash donations. Talk to the team leader about cash that is collected as a donation at fundraising events.
• Donation checks payable to you
If a donor makes a check payable to you, but would like an
acknowledgment letter from HFHI, you may write “Payable
to Habitat for Humanity International,” along with your signature,
on the back of the check. Include the event code and
your eight-digit Habitat ID number on the front of the check.
• Funds raised in addition to the published trip cost
One of the stated purposes of the Global Village program
is to raise funds for the building efforts of Habitat affiliates
worldwide. To remain consistent with our mission,
the Global Village department is not able to roll additional
funds over to a future GV trip. Habitat for Humanity
International will direct any additional funding you raise
(beyond the published trip cost) to support building
programs in the team’s host country.
Fund raising for airfare
As of Jan. 1, 2008, funds raised
at HFHI in excess of the trip cost may no longer be used to
cover all or part of a GV participant’s airfare. Participants
may still be able to claim their airfare as a tax-deductible
expense even if the funds are paid directly from the
participant to a vendor, as long as the trip is in pursuit of a
charitable purpose. Team members will need to contact a
tax adviser concerning their specific situation. Team members can, however, receive "miles" in an airline mileage program as a donation. No receipt, however, can be given to the donor.
Cancellation policy
No refunds are offered if you must cancel.
• Cancellation more than 45 days prior to departure
All payments excluding the $350 deposit may be transferred
for use on a future GV trip within one year of your original
trip date. All cancellation notices must first be given to
your team leader before notifying GV. All transfer requests
must be sent in writing to the Global Village sending coordinator.
Ask your team leader for more information.
• Cancellation within 45 days of departure
One hundred percent of your payments and donations will be
retained by HFHI to meet current obligations.
• If Habitat for Humanity must cancel
We will make every effort to conduct the trip as scheduled; however, if
Habitat for Humanity International must cancel, we will
attempt to place you on another team. If that is not possible,
you may receive a full refund. Global Village cannot
compensate participants for the cost of unusable airfare
or any other expenses resulting from the cancellation.
• Delays enroute
If delays occur en route, or missed or
cancelled flights cause you to miss your rendezvous with
the team, the Global Village staff will do everything possible
to assist you in connecting with the team. However, Global
Village cannot be responsible for any expenses incurred due
to flight problems. The Global Village program does not
provide trip cancellation insurance. You may wish to inquire
about purchasing this through your travel agent.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Payment & Donation Policies and Procedures
Travel Medical Insurance Information
Travel Medical Insurance
Global Village Program
A portion of your work trip fee established by your team leader
covers the cost of insurance coverage. Through paying your fee,
you will automatically be insured against accidental loss of life,
limb, sight, speech or hearing while participating in volunteer
activities sponsored and supervised by Habitat for Humanity.
This mandatory insurance coverage is consistent with policies
recommended by Habitat for Humanity International’s Legal
department and ratified by the HFHI board of directors on Feb.
10, 1994. The coverage is designed to ensure a comprehensive
risk management program and to provide protection to Habitat’s
Global Village trip volunteers.
We have a serious commitment to risk management and
assume everyone is willing to comply.
Note: Covered medical expenses incurred for treatment
of a pre-existing condition are limited to a maximum
of $50,000. “Pre-existing condition” means any injury or
illness that was contracted or that manifested itself, or for
which treatment or medication was prescribed, prior to
the effective date of this insurance.
Claims
To file a claim, consult with the team leader immediately and
request a claim form. See “Quick Tips for Filing a Claim”
(below) for proper procedures and assistance in filing a claim.
Specifications, Provisions and Exclusions
Coverage is sold on a per-day basis and commences at the
actual start of the trip from the insured’s residence or designated
departure point. Coverage terminates immediately upon
return to the insured’s residence or designated return point,
or at the end of the published itinerary.
Note: Anyone traveling five days before or five days after
their official team dates is offered (automatically) the same
coverage at no additional cost. Unfortunately, no other
extensions of this coverage are available. You must be sure
to properly insure yourself for all other personal travel.
The policy does not cover loss caused by or resulting
from any of the following: intentionally self-inflicted injuries;
suicide while sane; attempted suicide while sane; pregnancy,
childbirth or miscarriage; accident occurring while a passenger
on, operating or learning to operate, or serving as a
crew member of any aircraft. Injuries or sickness sustained
while under the influence of drugs (other than prescribed)
or alcohol are not covered. Injuries or illness sustained while
racing or committing or attempting to commit a felony are
not covered. This is a general summary, but it is still subject
to the policy terms, conditions and exclusions.
Medical Assistance
Medical assistance for Global Village team members is available
24 hours a day, seven days a week. It includes the following:
• Medical evacuation and repatriation benefit. Your expenses
up to $150,000 will be covered in the case that accidental
bodily injury, disease or illness requires your medical
evacuation or repatriation while on a covered trip.
• Multilingual MEDEX assistance specialists.
• Assistance in locating the nearest, most appropriate
medical care.
• International MEDEX preferred provider networks.
• MEDEX program medical advisors (physician) consultative
and advisory services, including review of appropriateness
and analysis of medical care.
• Assistance in establishing contact with family, personal
physician and employer, as appropriate.
• Monitoring progress during treatment and recovery.
• Emergency message transmittal services.
• Translation services and referrals to local interpreters, as
necessary.
• Verification of insurance coverage facilitating entry and
admissions to hospitals and other medical care providers.
• Special assistance regarding the coordination of direct
claims payment.
• Emergency funds transfers.• Coordination of embassy and consulate services.
• Management, arrangement and coordination of emergency medical transportation, as necessary.• Management, arrangement and coordination of repatriation of remains.
• Knowledgeable legal referral assistance.
• Coordination of securing bail bonds and other legal documents.
• Special assistance in replacing lost or stolen travel documents,including passport.
• Courtesy assistance in securing incidental aid and othertravel-related services.
• Special assistance in making arrangements for interrupted or disrupted travel plans resulting from emergency situations, including:
1. The return of unaccompanied travel companions.
2. Travel to the bedside of a stranded person.
3. Rearrangement of ticketing due to accident or illnessand other travel-related emergencies.
4. The return of stranded motor vehicles and relatedpersonal items.
Covered Services Per Volunteer Benefits
Medical Accident or Sickness. . . . . . . $250,000 Max.
Deductible. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . None
Coverage (%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100%
Permanent Total Disability . . . . . . . . . . . . $250,000
Emergency Medical Evacuation . . . . . . . . $150,000
Accidental Death & Dismemberment. . . . . . $250,000
Repatriation of Remains . . . . . . . . . . . . . $150,000
Medical Assistance Services . . . . . . . . . . . MEDEX
Quick Tips for Filing a Claim
Policy 6404-54-47
MEDEX Code CHB
1. Notify your Global Village team leader of any accident
or need for medical attention as soon as possible.
2. Your team leader will supply you with an accident claim
form that needs to be completed and sent to Habitat
Claims Unit c/o Chubb Group of Insurance Co. Details
are on the form.
3. Be certain the attending physician completes the
“Physician’s Report” section of the claim form, including
diagnostic/treatment, signature and date.
4. Obtain a copy of the hospital/clinic invoices and make
copies of all prescriptions/invoices and submit same
with the claim form.
5. Have your team leader sign the form.
6. Claims must be submitted within 90 days from the date
of the accident/injury/illness.
Important: If assistance is needed in identifying an appropriate
medical provider or facility, contact MEDEX at (800)
527-0218 or collect at (410) 453-6330. MEDEX code is CHB.
Urgent Care and Evaluation: If emergency evacuation
and/or urgent care are needed, contact MEDEX immediately.
MEDEX will make all the appropriate arrangements.
See phone numbers above.
Note: Even if the claim amount is considered too small for
submission, or it is determined by diagnostic evaluation that
the condition may not be serious or requires no further medical
treatment at the time, the Global Village program and its
underwriter recommend completing all of the above steps in
order to establish a basis for admission of a valid claim later.
Toll free numbers are available in some countries as listed
below. You should call collect if the toll free number is
not accepted by the local telephone exchange.
International Toll Free Telephone Access Numbers
Australia and . . . . . . 1-800-127-907
Tasmania
Austria . . . . . . . . . . 0-800-29-5810
Belgium. . . . . . . . . . 0800-1-7759
Brazil . . . . . . . . . . 0800-891-2734
China. . . . . . . 108888-800-527-0218
(North : Beijing, etc)
China. . . . . . . 10811-800-527-0218
(South : Shanghai, etc)
Egypt. . . . 510-0200-1-877-569-4151
(inside Cairo)
Egypt. . . 02-510-0200-1-877-569-4151
(outside of Cairo)
Finland. . . . . . . . . . 0800-114402
France and Monaco. . . 0800-90-8505
Germany. . . . . . . . 0800-1-811401
Greece . . . . . . . 00-800-4412-8821
Hong Kong . . . . . . . . 800-96-4421
Indonesia. . . . . . 001-803-1471-0621
Israel . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-941-0172
Italy, Vatican City . . . . . 800-877-204
and San Marino
Japan . . . . . . . . . . 00531-11-4065
Mexico. . . . . . . . 001-800-101-0061
Netherlands. . . . . . . 0800-022-8662
New Zealand. . . . . . . 0800-44-4053
Philippines. . . . . . 1-800-1-111-0503
Portugal. . . . . . . . . . 0800-84-4266
Republic of . . . . . . . 1-800-409-529
Ireland (Eire)
Republic of . . . . . . . . 0800-9-92379
South Africa
Singapore. . . . . . . . . 800-1100-452
South Korea . . . . 00798-1-1-004-7101
Spain and Majorca. . . . 900-98-4467
Switzerland and . . . . . 0800-55-6029
Liechtenstein
Thailand. . . . . . 001-800-11-471-0661
Turkey. . . . . . . . 00-800-4491-4834
UK and. . . . . . . . . . 0800-252-074
Northern Ireland, Isle of Jersey,
the Channel Isles and Isle of Man
United States. . . . . . 1-800-527-0218
Canada, Puerto Rico,
U.S. Virgin Islands, Bermuda
MEDEX Assistance Coordination Centers
United States. . . . . [1] 410-453-6330
Baltimore, Maryland
United Kingdom. . [44] 1-273-223000
Brighton, England
Notes:
• When a toll free number is not available, travelers are encouraged to call MEDEX collect. The country code precedes the phone number in brackets. The toll free numbers listed are available only when physically calling from within the country.
• The toll free Israel line is not available from payphones and there is a local access charge.
• The toll free Italy, Vatican City and San Marinonumbers have a local charge for access.
• The toll free Japan line is available only from touch-tone phones (including pay phones) equippedfor international dialing.
• If calling from Mexico on a pay phone, the payphone must be a La Datel pay phone.
Global Vilage department : P.O. Box 369 Americus, GA 31709-0369 USA
phone: (229) 924-6935, Ext. 2549; (800) 422-4828 in the U.S. or Canada fax: (267) 295-8714 e-mail: gv@habitat.org www.habitat.org/gv
3405/2M/GV/12-06
Friday, January 25, 2008
Fundraising Ideas
You aren’t asking for money as much as you are helping meet the needs of people….the need of those to give AND the need of those who will be receiving. We often think that the people receiving the house are the ones "in need" - but aren't we all in need at one level or another? I know for myself that the act of just going on the team is filling a need of mine. Working with a homeowner fills a need. And for those who can't go on a team, giving towards those homeowners or a team member fills a need of theirs.
Whether those you ask actually donate towards your trip and the work of Habitat or not, they STILL will know more about what Habitat is doing to help eliminate poverty housing in our world. And that’s cool too.
Set an "awareness-raising" goal along with a "fund-raising" goal - see how many people you can make aware of the housing need in this country along with how much money you raise. And no matter what, make it fun-raising as well!
Awareness/Fundraising is a big challenge for some individuals. But once you start you may find, as many previous team members have, that the response is enthusiastic and supportive. Don't limit yourself or your sponsors - there's no harm in going OVER your goal!!
Ready to start raising? Start reading, and get going!!
These ideas are ones that other team members in the past have used and willing to share. Pick the ones that suit you the best. And if you come up with something totally different, let me know so that I can share that as well.
TOP fundraising idea. It's the most often used, the most successful, and easiest.
“The Letter” – sent by email and/or snail mail.
I don’t know what else to call it. But it works. Has worked over and over and over again. The response to it always surprises those who use it. Below, there is a sample letter. You will obviously have to make changes to personalize it. But you get the idea. Some folks have made this letter quite humorous, entertaining, and certainly educational. Be creative - use as much of this sample letter as you want, but make sure it has your "voice" so it doesn't sound like some form letter. Just come up with your own style, personality, and then send it off. You will be amazed at how well it works!!
We once had a team member join a team very late… she only had two weeks to raise money and pack! She didn’t have time for the usual “letter”, and just sent out a quick message to everyone in her email address book explaining briefly what she was doing and ended with “I don’t have time to explain any more right now, but you know Habitat, you know me, so send money NOW….I’ll fill you in when I get back!” And, she had her whole $2000 promised or sent within 48 hours!!!
As Millard Fuller, Habitat’s founder, once said, “I’ve tried asking and I’ve tried not asking. Not asking never works. Asking usually does.”
The sample letter has two important points for you to consider about your own letter:
1) awareness/education: it tells a little bit about how HFH works, the team, and how the monies will be used.
2) the process: it also gives specific information about how they can contribute.
Additional Tips:
aIf you’re sending letters or cards by regular mail instead of email, it is a good idea to include a self-addressed stamped envelope - that helps make sure they have the correct address and that they send the check to Habitat for Humanity International's GV Department, not the general fund (it takes forever to locate a mis-designated check!) They can also call the office or go online with a credit card donation. People really like personalized letters in the mail. It costs more in time and stamps than an email, but they are very well received, and get results! There is a greater chance for delays in sending in donations by mail or even for them to get lost in the mail, so it would be better if they actually make their donation online or over the phone. But if they would prefer to send a check, make sure that the instructions for coding the check are accurate.
aIf you use the GV website (see the post called "Setting up your GV fundraising web page") for sending out an email request, you can use this same letter, and those you send it to can access the online website for donating right from a link that is sent along with your letter. They still get their tax-deductible receipt. You are also notified immediately, by email, that a donation has been made so that you can keep track and write to thank them.
aIn addition to or instead of, consider alternative giving for an upcoming graduation, birthday, anniversary or retirement. Put your letter into your announcement, asking for support for this team in lieu of a card or gift. Let colleagues know of your plans after retirement and suggest a monetary donation to Habitat instead of the usual plaque or watch.
More ideas after the sample letter!
Sample Letter
January 2008
Dear friend,
Greetings from under an umbrella in Oregon!
What an amazing community I live in, and what beautiful friends and family encircle me. I would like to share something wonderful and exciting that is happening with me.
The upcoming holiday seasons are for giving thanks for our multiple blessings, and to be reminded of the hope that we have for peace in our world. Hope, however, is difficult in the hearts of those who struggle daily with the affects of poverty. Living in leaky, disease-ridden shacks in unsafe environments is not how parents want to raise their children. They, like all of us, want their families to be healthy and free of danger. Part of that is having a simple, decent, affordable home in which to live.
I've been invited to participate in a Habitat for Humanity short-term mission trip this summer. As you may know, Habitat sends mission teams all over the world to help build houses for people in need. And I've been invited to go to Mozambique!
All the team members are raising funds for building materials and the expenses to make this all happen. Once we get to Mozambique, we will be working side-by-side with future homeowners and others in the village to build "emergency housing". This is a special program where Habitat is partnering with other non-profit agencies to address the phenomenally growing number of children that have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. There are over 500,000 orphans in Mozambique alone! What makes these homes that I will be building even more special is that they will house children under the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)Program.
You can read more about this amazing program at our team's BLOG site: http://www.gv8125mozambique.blogspot.com/
There will be 15 people from the US and Canada on this team, including me!! My personal challenge is to raise awareness of the great need in Mozambique, and to raise the funds that will be used to cover the expenses of the trip (insurance, housing, travel, meals in the village, etc) , as well as a minimum donation of $500 for building materials towards the houses and Habitat for Humanity's housebuilding program.
I am asking for your support in this endeavor. Any amount would be appreciated and you will receive a tax-deductible receipt. You can even charge it to your credit card!! Instructions on how to donate are at the end of this letter.
As always, even if you can’t support the team financially, we ask for support through your prayers and well-wishes.
I will be happy to share stories and pictures with all my supporters when I return so that you can hear about all that we accomplished.
Thank you for considering "joining" this team through your "investment" in me and the children in Mozambique.
By the way, for you folks that can make it, I’m hosting a wine & cheese tasting party at my house, Friday night, 7pm. Good music, as always. Your donation for this opportunity will go to the Mozambique fund. Give me a call if you can come so that I’ll have plenty to share!
In partnership and with great hope,
Your name
How To Donate:
YPlease make out checks to Habitat for Humanity International, put my name, my ID# xxxx-xxxx, & "Mozambique GV 8125" in the “memo” portion at the bottom, and mail it in the envelope provided to Global Village. Make sure your current address is on the check because that is where your tax-deductible receipt will be sent.
YOr, you can call the Habitat-Global Village office at 1-800-HABITAT, extension 7530 to give them your credit card information. Make sure you give them the trip event number (GV815) and my name and ID# xxxx-xxxx.
YOr, you can donate online. Go to www.habitat.org/gv. Click on the words to the right, "make a donation in support of a Global Village trip". Fill out all the information, including my event number and ID# (above). If you do not receive your tax-deductible receipt in the mail within a few days, let me know.
encl.: self-addressed return envelope
***************************************************************************************************************
OTHER FUNDRAISING SUGGESTIONS
Here’s a few more that other folks have used. Check out #1 – it has worked very successfully, and it’s fun. Some of these ideas can be incorporated in your informational letter as a way of raising money and awareness. Also, don't keep all the fundraising fun to yourself - ask family, friends and co-workers to choose one of these ideas as a way to support you - they may especially like #7, #8, #9, #10, or #11.
1) Sell “shares” of love or “shares” of hope. This works well with business or professional folks. They sell the shares for whatever they think will work: $10/share, $1/share, $100/share… whatever appeals to you and your “investors”. Folks can buy however many shares they want. You can even make up a “share certificate” to give to them. Then promise all of these “stockholders” that you will have a stockholders' meeting when you get back and give them a report on their “investment”. This “report” can be delivered at a dinner in your home, and/or can be mailed out. The report might include photos of the houses you worked on, the new homeowner families, things about your trip, how Habitat has brought hope or love into the lives of those involved, etc. Sometimes team members serve an actual dinner or dessert at this meeting that represents where they have been – like sourdough pancakes from Alaska or kiwi fruit from New Zealand, or whatever you like to do to make it fun.
2) Some people like something more tangible. “Sell” items for building the Habitat house, such as $10 for a bag of cement, $25 for window shutters, $50 replaces some worn out hand tools, $100 concrete foundation. One former team member even sold her pains! (“$10 will help me not think about my hammered fingers, $25 will help me smile even with a sore back, $100 will want to make me sing instead of complain about my aching muscles”).
3) Challenges: for example: “Every dollar you donate will be a nail I’ll pound at our local affiliate, or "for every $10, I'll bring a plate of cookies to the office".
4) Sell your "talents" - "when the office raises $250, I'll sing at lunch", "when my basketball team raises $500, I'll host the pizza party", etc.
5) Ask for sponsors in your self-designed “thon” of some sort (I’ll be walking a mile, swimming a lap, etc for every $xx donated)
6) Promise other groups, (your church, Sunday school class, civic organization) a presentation upon your return in exchange for a "hope offering" now. (this is somewhat like selling “hope shares” and having a “stockholders meeting” when you come back)
7) Non-Bake Sale Bake Sale - This one is FUN and EASY to do for those of you who like to bake/prepare a specialty item (breads, pies, tamales, sushi, etc), but don't like bake sales: Tell your friends, neighbors, office workers…put in your church bulletin… that you are going to be baking on a certain day and what you will be making. Set your price, take orders for that item in advance and let them know when they can pick it up (or when you'll deliver). For example: "I'm preparing some of my infamous sushi platters this Saturday (or every Saturday in January) for $25/platter. If you want to enjoy the best ever made while also helping eliminate poverty housing in Mozambique, please place your order with me by Thursday. You can pick it up at my house any time after 5pm, or I'll meet you at the grocery store parking lot at 6pm for an extra $5 delivery charge." And remind them, they can CHARGE IT!! (they go to the website and donate online or do it over the phone at Global Village). By taking orders, you already have your market, you know exactly how much to make, you make only the kind of delicacy you want, and you don't have to stand around at a bake sale table in front of the grocery store! If you want, especially if you are making large quantities, you can deduct your costs from what you bring in and donate the profit. This kind of fund raising is also very enjoyable to do with family & friends who would like to help you do the baking/preparation as well. Hey, do you have a Valentine cookie or candy recipe that you want to sell in advance?
8) Along the same line, there are those that have a "specialty talents" in other areas: offering house repairs for a few Saturday afternoons, cleaning, foot massages, sewing a specialty design, raffling a quilt, etc. Sometimes the project doesn't have to be complete before the trip. IE: sell raffles based on the quilt design, and tell them when it will be done (before Christmas!); or, the house painting you do may not be until you get back, but you could receive payment in advance; or your babysitting, housecleaning, plant care may start now and continue on when you get back - but you get paid for it all in advance. We all have marketable talents, so figure out how to sell yours!
9) Host a dinner, dessert, or wine & cheese tasting, in your home with your family, friends, co-workers. Tell them you are asking $5, $10, whatever you think is reasonable for your crowd to donate to your trip fund. If you like, you can deduct the costs of your food, and then donate the remainder, or you can donate all of it. If they give you cash, you will then write a check for all the cash your receive and send it in and you will get the receipt. If someone in attendance wants to donate and wants a receipt for themselves, that can be done as well. They just have to write the check to HFHI and you send that it along with other checks you receive as donations (code each check correctly as per the directions). The hosting of these parties can be a weekly or monthly event if you like. People look forward to your parties! Have others in your office or family host the parties at their home as well. Make sure you have handouts available on information about what your team is doing.... something that explains the need. Maps, pictures...it all helps.
10) Host a holiday (Valentine's, Easter) cookie decorating and/or baking party. Tell participants that you are asking for a donation – you set the minimum amount. You can supply all the pre-baked cookies and decorations, or ask them to bring some of their favorites as well. The information in #8 as to what to do with the funds is the same for this situation.
11) Host a garden tea party. Sell your plant starters, bulbs, cuttings. Knowing it's a donation for your team will usually bring a better-than-usual price. They can give cash, or write a check if they want a receipt.
Be creative – be YOU. And share your ideas.
Meet the 2008 Mozambique Team!!
Enjoy "meeting" each other!
Before starting out with the members of the team that will be coming from the US, let's meet our partners in Mozambique. First is Magaia - he has been helping the team leaders coordinate this trip from the very beginning and making many preparations for the team in-country. Here's Magaia's profile: HFH Mozambique Church Relations and Volunteer Coordinator, Elifal Moeses Magaia, was born in 1978 in Maputo. Magaia has been the volunteer coordinator for HFH-MZ since May 2007. Magaia is well suited to this role as he speaks Portuguese, English, and Shangana, and enjoys the challenges that hosting teams from all over the world presents. He is currently attending law school, now in his 4th year, and has previously worked as a travel consultant with LAM (Mozambican Airlines), and a volunteer health trainer for the Peace Corps. He comes from a Christian background, his father being a Bishop at the Mozambican National Church ‘The Good Shepherd.’ This has led to an interest in singing, especially gospel music in church as well as jazz, afro-jazz and hip-hop. Magaia also enjoys reading the Bible, having attended Bible School for 3 years and is also a qualified Sunday School teacher. Another of Magaia’s passions is watching football, supporting Manchester United for some reason! He has a daughter, Kaizia, who is 3yrs old and with whom he adores spending time with.
Another partner is Mark Estes, Country Director for Mozambique. Having worked with Mark in Asia Pacific for a couple of years, Bob and Leslie are confident that Mozambique's program has top-notch leadership, and are looking forward to seeing him again and meeting Marcia. Maybe even seeing Mark in his new role as Dad! Or, if the timing is a little off, maybe the Labor and Delivery nurse on our team will get to do more than build houses! Here's more info on Mark: A native of the USA’s Southeast region, Mark left his business career in 1997 to apply his skills and experiences to the work of HFHI in Asia Pacific, where he served in a variety of roles from the Pacific Islands to Central and South Asia and South East Asia. Mark received his BS degree in 1986 and in July 2007 completed a 3 year MA in Organizational Leadership with a focus on International Organizational Development through Eastern University’s Pathway’s to Leadership course. Mark’s overarching work with HFH organizations as been to broaden visions and strengthen HFH national programs to grow exponentially as part of HFHI’s global strategies and vision to see “” A World Where Everyone has a Decent Place to Live”. Mark is married to Marcia Regina Isola, from Brazil, who relocated to Vietnam in 2007 as Mark completed 10 years of work in Asia with HFHI. They relocated to Mozambique in October 2007. Mark and Marcia are expecting their first child on 24 June 2008. Mark enjoys travel, scuba diving, trekking, softball, photography, reading and contemporary jazz and classical music. Mark is passionate about connecting people from around the globe to the mission of Habitat for Humanity International as part of his spiritual journey of serving others.Leslie's note: sorry about the sizing of Magaia and Mark's pictures - it was the best I could do with what I had! But you can click on their pictures, as well as any others, and make them larger. Here's the rest of our team:
Hi Everyone! My name is Margot Adelle Orr. I work as an architect and urban designer doing work all over the UK, Europe and Asia. Currently I am working on a project where we are transforming the industrial waterfront of Edinburgh, Scotland into a fun destination with a marina, shops, waterfront boardwalk, cafes, restaurants, and more.I went to graduate school in St. Louis, MO and undergrad in St. Paul, MN – in combination with being from Wisconsin – I would say I know the Midwest well! However, through graduate school, I lived in Buenos Aires and Helsinki for 6 months each. There is so much to learn from travel! I have been lucky enough to keep up with my adventuring after graduation and took most of my holiday in China last year. The picture is of me on a terrace in Shanghai overlooking the famous TV tower.
My favorite thing to do is to try new things. With that in mind, I am extremely excited about our trip to Mozambique! I think this will be a chance to immerse ourselves in another culture in a way that is difficult to do as a tourist. I can’t wait to try any and all of the cultural experiences that we will have the occasion to participate in. I am very appreciative of this opportunity and look forward to meeting everyone!
Hi fellow travelers! I am Holly Grubb. I'm a computer consultant. My job takes me all over the U.S. but I call Ohio home. Currently I am working a contract in Chicago.
I love to travel, see the world, experience new cultures and meet new
people. I also like hooking up with dear friends (Bob and Leslie) and doing all of the above.Since I work at a desk all day, the physical activity of building homes is very therapeutic. When not on a GV trip, reading is my stress relief. I am a Habitat junkie. I have been going on GV teams since 1998. (the pix is of me in Ethiopia with my new little friend, Afretta). I just can't seem to get enough! I am really looking forward to this new adventure in Mozambique and meeting all my new friends!
Kat Williams - I quit my corporate job four years ago and have found myself living in constant gratitude that I can continue to live both simply and extravagantly by traveling and seeing the world! Working with HFH is one of the best ways to realize my two of my passions: learning about other cultures and providing affordable housing to those who need it.I've participated both domestically and internationally with Habitat for Humanity, most recently leading a trip to Pondicherry, India last August. I've been included on GV builds on the Cheyenne River Reservation in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, Lampang, Thailand, Taos New Mexico and for disaster relief efforts at Camp Hope in New Orleans. I am thrilled to be traveling to Africa with such an extraordinary and enthusiastic group of people. I look forward to sharing this incredible adventure with you!
Hello New Friends. My name is Diana Ambrose and I will be arriving to Mozam
bique from St. Augustine Florida. I have been living in Fl for over 10 years now. I work as a Guidance Counselor in an elementary school and love my job. I am so looking forward to participating in something that directly benefits children in Mozambique! I am a passionate, loving, enthusiastic person! I was born and raised in Michigan and have had the fortune to travel to many wonderful places around our beautiful planet. I love outdoor recreation, reading, gardening, and remodling my house. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Jamaica and am looking forward to being exposed to another new culture and way of life in Mozambique. I'm Judy Bell and I'll be joining my "little" brother, Bob, and Leslie, my favorite sister-in-law, on our upcoming
trip to Mozambique. This Habitat experience will be an important family milestone for me as well as a great opportunity to share the kind of volunteering that Bob and Leslie have been raving about for years. I spent 25 years working as a busy physician in Northern California. However in 2001 my husband, Terry, and I decided we'd had enough of beautiful weather and crowded freeways and decided to relocate to a friendly small town in North Idaho. I continued some part-time doctoring until 2 years ago when I took down my shingle completely. Now I hike and bike and spend as much grandparent time as I can with our daughter's family in South Carolina. We divide our time mowing and watering and plowing our bit of property and enjoying gorgeous mountain views and an occasional moose or two. I've been talking for years about joining a Habitat Build and now I finally have the time to make that happen. Looking forward to meeting you all.Barbara Pressler - My background is a B.S. in commercial art and a minor in photography. I studied classical piano growing up and have a
great appreciation of all kinds of music. My art background evolved into designing gardens and landscapes . I love to play in the dirt and watch a beautiful landscape grow from nothing. Its a beautiful thing..I live in Sandpoint,Idaho, up in the panhandle around a breathtaking 40 mile lake that beckons me to embrace nature and all its Godliness . My job creates the means to travel and meet indigenous peoples all over. I've spent extended trips to India ,Kashmir,Australia, NZ. PNG.MEX. I have 2 children and 5 grandchildren.I'm 69 yrs. young with an insatiable appetite for adventure. I also love to see the happiness in a person's eyes by doing something for them. As you can see I love to be happy and bring happiness. I look forward to you all. Bob - I have been a tool dresser, potato planter, log peeler, dog musher, glacier guide, school principal/teacher, Habitat trainer, and dad. I'm known f
or telling stories, which I'm not really sure is accurate. I like to spend my free time watching animals, especially in Alaska. And I love to be in the outdoors. This picture is of my youngest son and I on our recent trek into the base camp of Everest. When I grow up, I want to be content with what I've done in my life. My birthday is on the same day each year, usually in the middle of the second run of sockeye salmon going up the Kenai River. Leslie - I have been an Alaska Court clerk, director of youth camps, built my own log cabin, taught 8th grade, built/remodeled/demolished a few houses, served as full-time volunteer for HFHI as a Glo
bal Village trainer in Asia Pacific, and as a team leader. My most full-filling, ever-changing job has been, and still is, that of a mom. I enjoy spending my time with Bob in most of the things he does, especially in Alaska and leading Habitat teams around the world. I always look forward to meeting new people on teams, and experiencing different cultures with them. I can be easily bribed with ice cream and can eat more of it than anyone, our three sons excluded (they learned from the best). Hey
Ya’ll! My name is Lindsey McCormick and I’m twenty years old. I grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. This fall, I will be a junior at Florida State University, where I am majoring in secondary math education. I am a very outgoing person and I am always up for anything. I am very close with my family, as well as my friends from home and college. I love being outside and enjoying the sunshine. I cannot wait to finally get to Mozambique. I am involved with lots of community service through my major, my sorority (Alpha Chi Omega), as well as FSU, and I am so excited to have another opportunity to help others. I hope to make a difference in the lives of the orphans while I make new friends and explore the world. Can’t wait to finally meet everyone! :)Howdy everyone! i’m nancy , 61 years on the planet, that I can recall.
my number one calling is definitely mom---to 2 sons, kippy(italy) and aaron (california). 3 acquired kids---peg(denver) penny(reno) and jim(denver). also have 5 exchange kids—magnus (sweden—who, with his family donated a whole orphan house!), barbara (italy), virginie (france), luca (italy) and ania(greenland). also am Mom-2 to leslie and bob’s kids matt(hawaii), lars and anders(both oregon). that adds up to a baker’s dozen. 6 children-in-law, 16 grandchildren, 4 greatgranchildren. you can imagine my travel needs. it is my mission to feed and hug kids everywhere.
my second number one calling is wife. bobby and i have been married 27 years and i’ve loved the adventure and the man. first husband didn’t work out so well.
i love nursing, my job of 39 years. i have all kinds of experience but lots of years in labor and delivery. let me tell you a few stories.
i have a psychiatrist named bernina, my sewing machine, who counsels with me often. i am very “outdoors”; the colorado mountains are my present play ground. singing is my companion. i’ve never had nice nails. i talk way too much. i cry often and for all reasons. i write constantly. i do not believe in map boundaries, eating sweet potatoes, shoulds, oughts, inhibitions. i believe in hugging often, god, sleeping under stars, friends and family, work as beauty, life as a gift. my only fear of our upcoming trip is that i will not be able to leave.
i have a special talent---possum kissing. can’t wait to give you one. xoxoxox nan
Bobby Cole - I'm a shaman and a preacher, a prophet and a schemer, an artist and a poet,a teacher and a writer, a rambler and a story teller. I can build a wicked house and can find you in the wilderness if you lose your way. I am a good somato-therapist, a better dream weaver and a pretty fair friend. I used to be a lot of other things but, now I'm just an old fart.
Hello team - I am Chris Kelley, I live in Scarborough Maine, and I have been a mechanic working on tanks, commercial fishing boats, and heavy equipment. I’ve worked for a John Deere dealer as a marine engine salesman, customer service rep and sales rep. for Morbark.I’ve been working at a friend’s rental store for the last five years. This year I am part time (on call). I am volunteering most of my time between friends and family and trying to catch up with long overdue chores at my place. I don’t know where I ever found time to work.
I like to spend time outdoors exploring new places, I’ve been on HFHGV trips to New Zealand 99, Alaska 99, Thailand 02, and Alaska 07. Bob and Leslie got me hooked on Alaska - there is so much to explore there that I know Ill go back for more adventures. Right now I am looking forward to meeting all of you in Mozambique. I’m sure it will be quite an adventure. Do they have ice cream in Mozambique? I can eat as much as Bob and Leslie’s sons can!
Hello all! My name is Jessica Burns. I am from Boulder Colorado whereI was born, raised, and continue to live…I guess I quite like it here! The outdoors and nature are huge for me, which is probably what has kept me in Colorado for so long! Anything from hiking, to rock climbing, kayaking, cycling, snowboarding – you name it, I either like it, or am witho
ut a doubt willing to give it a shot! (This however,does not include wind surfing, which I am destined to fail at despite repeated attempts.) Aside from athletics and nature, the rest goes to working with animals – my own and through work. I have spent the last 6 years working at a 24 hr emergency animal hospital and doing pet services on the side. I also have an amazing 5yr old husky that I rescued about three years ago. Despite her neurotic tendencies that seem to plague our daily interactions with one another, she is my best friend and she will be deeply missed while in Africa! An exciting recent progression in my life at the moment will be obtaining my degree in Zoology on the 12th of May of this year from CSU. After getting home from Africa, I plan on getting EMT certified and then applying to medical school, not vet…medical. 6 years at vets office has further instilled my love for animals, but also shown me that I would prefer a career in working with people…which is what ultimately brought me to HFHI. My goal, in whatever career path I choose, is to do work in poverty stricken areas where help is needed most. While I have done a fair bit of traveling – study abroad in Brisbane,Australia, family centered in New Zealand (where I visit to every couple of years), first generation in this country on my mom's side from S. Africa, I have not experienced the true nature of the world's state first hand. I am ready to have my comfort zone completely redefined! Africa is of particular appeal given my family heritage there and the tease that I have been to S. Africa more than any other country but only as a small child, and so with those trips left not a single memory! That is not saying anything of the wildlife, which,being zoology trained, will be amazing to experience first hand! I can't wait to begin my journey, start building, meet new people, and let this be the first of many trips of this nature.
Hello Team! I'm Lauren Gioia and I live in New York City I grew up in Buffalo, New York and I'm excited to be joining the trip to Mozambique with Sarah, a great friend that I have known since kindergarten! I work at Sotheby's auction house and I'm fascinated by history and different cultures. I've been lucky enough to see many parts of the world and I've volunteered with Habitat in NYC and also as part of a Global Village trip to Honduras in 2005. I love to be outside, see new places and meet new people. I can't wait to up to meet everyone in Mozambique – see you in a little over a month!!! (editor's note: to see her when she's not so bundled, see next picture!)
Hello all! I'm Sarah. I live in New York City, but originally from Buffalo, NY. I am a third grade teacher at an all boys school here in the city. I have been teaching for ten years and am about to take a break fr
om education for a year before I begin graduate school in the fall of '09. I am looking forward to a year of new experiences and a chance to explore some interests outside of the educational world. I think that this trip will be a terrific way to kick things off. My dear friend Lauren loved her Global Village trip to Honduras a couple of years ago and I am so excited to see what it is all about. I can't wait to meet all of you and also meet members of the community in Mozambique.
Hello team. I'm Sean Murphy. I spent the first 19 years of my life in New Jersey, but have been living, working, and most importantly fishing on the Southwest coast of Florida for the past 8 months. I will be attending University of colorado next fall, with no clue in my area of studies. Flying to other parts of the world has been a passion of mine since my first overseas trip to Ireland. Only to be amplified by my time in China and Tibet, and throughout my last unbelievable trip to India where I spent two weeks building with HFH and the amazing Kat Williams, who is joining all of us in Mozambique. I truly cannot wait for the upcoming chance to meet all of you, live and work with native Mozambicans, pretend I am Steve Irwin at Kruger, and the numerous other experiences exclusive to building with Habitat. So, until we meet, safe travels, best wishes and enjoy the times.
Personal Stories and Pictures
Passport and Mozambique & South Africa Visas
ALSO, you must have at least FOUR blank pages in your passport for the Mz and South Africa visa stamps. You cannot count the last three pages that say "for ammendments". If you are a frequent international traveler, make sure you have this many pages. If not, you need to apply at the State Department for an extension to be put in your passport (extra pages).
Participants must have a Mozambique visa BEFORE entering the country
Cost: Mozambique $40
Participants will get their South Africa visa when we cross the border. There is no fee.
Individual team member's name must appear in a letter of invitation from Habitat Mozambique to accompany the passport application. This letter has been mailed to all participants, along with the visa application and instructions on how to fill it out.
Visa applications must be accompanied by your passport, the letter of invitation, 2 identical passport photos, the fee, a return mailer, and a copy of a confirmed flight itinerary. Therefore, it is essential to obtain airline tickets as soon as possible.
Map of Mozambique and "Fast Facts"
FAST FACTSCountry Full Name: Republic of Mozambique
Population: 20.4 Million inhabitants (as of 2007)
Currency Name: Metical (Mtn)
Languages Spoken Official: Portuguese
Time Zones: GMT/UTC + 2
Country Dialing Code: +258
Weights & Measures: Metric
Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west
Natural resources: coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite
Natural hazards: severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods occur in central and southern provinces
Immunizations & Tips on Staying Healthy
HIV is prevalent in Mozambique with a nationwide infection rate of roughly 16% yet as high as 20% in certain areas such as transport routes.
For more information go to www.cdc.gov/travel/destinationMozambique. If you go to that website, there are other links mentioned that you can go to for further information.
If your travel plans will take you to more than one country during a single trip, be sure to let your health-care provider know so that you can receive the appropriate vaccinations and information for all of your destinations.
IMMUNIZATIONS
To view current recommendations and reports on required or suggested immunizations, go to the web at http:// www.cdc.gov/travel
To have the most benefit, see a health-care provider at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect and to start taking medicine to prevent malaria, if you need it.
Even if you have less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still see a health-care provider for needed vaccines, anti-malaria drugs and other medications and information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling.
CDC recommends that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. Find a travel medicine clinic near you by going to the web at:
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentTravelClinics.aspx
The Government of Mozambique
THE GOVERNMENT OF MOZAMBIQUE
Mozambique is a multi-party democracy under the 1990 constitution. The executive branch comprises a president, prime minister, and Council of Ministers. There is a National Assembly and municipal assemblies. The judiciary comprises a Supreme Court and provincial, district, and municipal courts. Suffrage is universal at 18.
In 1994 the country held its first democratic elections. Joaquim Chissano was elected President with 53% of the vote, and a 250-member National Assembly was voted in with 129 FRELIMO deputies, 112 RENAMO deputies, and 9 representatives of three smaller parties that formed the Democratic Union (UD). Since its formation in 1994, the National Assembly has made progress in becoming a body increasingly more independent of the executive. By 1999, more than one-half (53%) of the legislation passed originated in the Assembly.
After some delays, in 1998 the country held its first local elections to provide for local representation and some budgetary authority at the municipal level. The principal opposition party, RENAMO, boycotted the local elections, citing flaws in the registration process. Independent slates contested the elections and won seats in municipal assemblies. Turnout was very low.
In the aftermath of the 1998 local elections, the government resolved to make more accommodations to the opposition's procedural concerns for the second round of multiparty national elections in 1999. Working through the National Assembly, the electoral law was rewritten and passed by consensus in December 1998. Financed largely by international donors, a very successful voter registration was conducted from July to September 1999, providing voter registration cards to 85% of the potential electorate (more than 7 million voters).
The second general elections were held December 3-5, 1999, with high voter turnout. International and domestic observers agreed that the voting process was well organized and went smoothly. Both the opposition and observers subsequently cited flaws in the tabulation process that, had they not occurred, might have changed the outcome. In the end, however, international and domestic observers concluded that the close result of the vote reflected the will of the people.
President Chissano won the presidency with a margin of 4% points over the RENAMO-Electoral Union coalition candidate, Afonso Dhlakama, and began his 5-year term in January 2000. FRELIMO increased its majority in the National Assembly with 133 out of 250 seats. RENAMO-UE coalition won 116 seats, one went independent, and no third parties are represented.
The opposition coalition did not accept the National Election Commission's results of the presidential vote and filed a formal complaint to the Supreme Court. One month after the voting, the court dismissed the opposition's challenge and validated the election results. The opposition did not file a complaint about the results of the legislative vote.
The second local elections, involving 33 municipalities with some 2.4 million registered voters, took place in November 2003. This was the first time that FRELIMO, RENAMO-UE, and independent parties competed without significant boycotts. The 24% turnout was well above the 15% turnout in the first municipal elections. FRELIMO won 28 mayoral positions and the majority in 29 municipal assemblies, while RENAMO won 5 mayoral positions and the majority in 4 municipal assemblies. The voting was conducted in an orderly fashion without violent incidents. However, the period immediately after the elections was marked by objections about voter and candidate registration and vote tabulation, as well as calls for greater transparency.
In May 2004, the government approved a new general elections law that contained innovations based on the experience of the 2003 municipal elections.
The third general elections occurred on December 1-2, 2004. FRELIMO candidate Armando Guebuza won with 64% of the popular vote. His opponent, Afonso Dhlakama of RENAMO, received 32% of the popular vote. The estimated 44% turnout was well below the almost 70% turnout in the 1999 general elections. FRELIMO won 160 seats in Parliament. A coalition of RENAMO and several small parties won the 90 remaining seats. Armando Guebuza was inaugurated as the President of Mozambique on February 2, 2005. The government has scheduled provincial elections in 2007, municipal elections in 2008, and presidential and parliamentary elections in 2009. .
Principal Government Officials:
President--Armando Guebuza
Prime Minister--Luisa Diogo
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation--Alcinda Abreu
Minister of Finance--Manuel Chang
Minister of National Defense--Tobias Dai
Minister of the Interior--Jose Pacheco
Minister of Industry and Commerce--Antonio Fernando
Ambassador to the United States--Armando Panguene
Mozambique Economy
Macroeconomic Review
Alleviating poverty.At the end of the civil war in 1992, Mozambique ranked among the poorest countries in the world. It still ranks among the least developed nations with very low socioeconomic indicators. In the last decade, however, Mozambique has experienced a notable economic recovery. Per capita GDP in 2006 was estimated at U.S. $320, a significant increase over the mid-1980s level of U.S. $120. With high foreign debt and a good track record on economic reform, Mozambique was the first African nation and sixth country worldwide to qualify for debt relief under the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) initial HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries) Initiative. In April 2000, Mozambique qualified for the Enhanced HIPC program and reached its completion point in September 2001. This led to the Paris Club members agreeing in November 2001 to substantially reduce the remaining bilateral debt, resulting in the complete forgiveness of a considerable volume of bilateral debt. The United States already finished the process and has forgiven Mozambique's debt.
During their summit in Scotland in July 2005, the G8 nations agreed to significant multilateral debt relief for the world's least developed nations. On December 21, 2005, the IMF formalized the complete cancellation of all Mozambican IMF debt contracted prior to January 1, 2005, worth U.S. $153 million.
Rebounding growth. The resettlement of civil war refugees, political stability and continuing economic reforms have led to a high economic growth rate. Between 1994 and 2006, average annual GDP growth was approximately 8%. Mozambique achieved this growth rate even though the devastating floods of 2000 slowed GDP growth to 2.1%. The World Bank is predicting average growth of 7% through 2008. Future strong expansion requires continued economic reforms, major foreign direct investment, and the resurrection of the agriculture, transportation and tourism sectors. Focusing on economic growth in the agricultural sector is a major challenge for the government. Although more than 80% of the population engages in small-scale agriculture, the sector suffers from inadequate infrastructure, commercial networks and investment. However a majority of Mozambique's arable land is still uncultivated, leaving room for considerable growth.
Low inflation. The government's tight control of spending and the money supply, combined with financial sector reform, successfully reduced inflation from 70% in 1994 to less than 5% in 1998-1999. Economic disruptions resulting from the devastating floods of 2000 caused inflation to jump to 12.7% that year. The government is still working to bring inflation down to those lower numbers. In 2004 inflation was 9.1%; in 2005 it climbed to 11.2%; in 2006 it dropped back down to 9.4%. As of March 2007, the floating exchange rate was approximately 26 meticais per dollar. (Note: In July 2006 the government revised its currency, dropping three zeros. Thus a coin formerly worth 1,000 meticais was from then on worth only one metical. And thus, where a dollar previously had been worth, for example, 26,000 meticais, it was from July onward worth 26.)
Extensive economic reform. Economic reform has been extensive. More than 1,200 state-owned enterprises (mostly small) have been privatized. Preparations for privatization and/or sector liberalization are underway for the remaining parastatals, including telecommunications, electricity, ports, and the railroads. The government frequently selects a strategic foreign investor when privatizing a parastatal. Additionally, customs duties have been reduced, and customs management has been streamlined and reformed. The government introduced a value-added tax in 1999 as part of its efforts to increase domestic revenues.
Improving trade imbalance. In 2006 Mozambique exported U.S. $2.43 billion worth of goods and imported U.S. $2.82 billion worth of goods. Support programs provided by foreign donors and private financing of foreign direct investment mega-projects and their associated raw materials have largely compensated for balance-of-payment shortfalls. The medium-term outlook for exports is encouraging, as a number of recent foreign investment projects have improved the trade balance. This export growth is expected to continue. MOZAL I, a large aluminum smelter that commenced production in mid-2000, greatly expanded Mozambique's trade volume. In April 2001, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) approved financing assistance for MOZAL II, which doubled overall production capacity. Phase two went online in April 2003, five months ahead of schedule, using primarily Mozambican workers during construction. Traditional Mozambican exports include cashews, shrimp, fish, copra, sugar, cotton, tea and citrus and exotic fruits. Most of these industries are being rehabilitated. In addition, Mozambique is less dependent upon imports for basic food and manufactured goods as the result of steady increases in local production.
SADC trade protocol.In December 1999, the Mozambican Council of Ministers approved the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade Protocol. The Protocol will create a free trade zone among more than 200 million consumers in the SADC region. Implementation of the Protocol began in 2002 and has an overall zero-tariff target set for 2008; however, Mozambique's country-specific zero-tariff goal is currently 2015. Mozambique joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) on August 26, 1995.
GDP (2006): $6.4 billion. Annual economic (GDP) growth rate (2006): 7.9%.Per capita gross domestic product (2006): $320.Natural resources: Hydroelectric power, coal, natural gas, titanium ore, tantalite, graphite, iron ore, semi-precious stones, and arable land.Agriculture (21% of GDP; annual growth 7.9%): Exports--cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers, beef and poultry. Domestically consumed food crops--corn, pigeon peas, cassava, rice, beef, pork, chicken, and goat.Industry (31% of GDP; annual growth 10%): Types--food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, and tobacco.Services (39.7% of GDP; annual growth 4.7%).Trade: Imports (2006)--$2.82 billion. Import commodities--machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs and textiles. Main suppliers--South Africa, Netherlands, Portugal. Exports (2006)--$2.43 billion. Export commodities--aluminum, cashews, prawns, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber, bulk electricity, natural gas. Main markets--Belgium, South Africa, Zimbabwe.
The Culture
THE CULTURE
Many of the cultural traditions of the Mozambican people survived centuries of colonialism. The Makonde in the north are renowned for their ebony sculptures and masks. The Chopi of the south central coast are famous for their complex musical arrangements and dance. Mozambique’s tradition of visual art has produced several modern artists who have achieved international renown. One of the most famous Mozambican artists is Malangatana, whose paintings portray the sufferings of the colonial period and the civil war.
Mozambique enjoys a great range of cultural and linguistic diversity. Islamic culture, Swahili language, and matrilineal Bantu-speaking groups coexist in northern and central regions, reflecting prevailing patterns in neighbouring Tanzania and Malawi. The great variety of people of the Zambezi valley overlap culturally and linguistically with neighbouring Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, and patrilineal, cattle-keeping people who share a heritage with neighbouring Nguni-speaking groups in South Africa and Zimbabwe are common in the south. Amid the variety of languages, social relationships, artistic traditions, clothing, and ornamentation patterns is a common theme of dynamic and creative cultural expression in song, oral poetry, dance, and performance.
Although material and performance arts are deeply embedded in daily religious and social expressions, some regional traditions are well known throughout the nation and beyond. The haunting paintings of Malangatana Valente Ngwenya, commonly known as Malangatana, have captured an international audience. Malangatana and the muralist Mankew Valente Muhumana have inspired the formation of artist cooperatives, particularly around Maputo. The carved wooden sculpture and masks of the Makonde people of northern Mozambique and Tanzania and the complex Chopi orchestral performances, or midogo, are among the best-known artistic traditions. Popular music includes the work of Alexandre Langa, Xidimingwana, and the Nampula group Eyuphuro. Soccer is the nation's favourite sporting activity. Mozambique's soccer team competes with other African nations and within the Portuguese-speaking Sporting League, which also includes Angola, Portugal, and Brazil.
History
HISTORY
Mozambique's first inhabitants were San hunter and gatherers, ancestors of the Khoisani peoples. Between the first and fourth centuries AD, waves of Bantu-speaking peoples migrated from the north through the Zambezi River valley and then gradually into the plateau and coastal areas. The Bantu were farmers and ironworkers.
When Portuguese explorers reached Mozambique in 1498, Arab-trading settlements had existed along the coast and outlying islands for several centuries. From about 1500, Portuguese trading posts and forts became regular ports of call on the new route to the east. Later, traders and prospectors penetrated the interior regions seeking gold and slaves. Although Portuguese influence gradually expanded, its power was limited and exercised through individual settlers who were granted extensive autonomy. As a result, investment lagged while Lisbon devoted itself to the more lucrative trade with India and the Far East and to the colonization of Brazil.
By the early 20th century the Portuguese had shifted the administration of much of the country to large private companies, controlled and financed mostly by the British, which established railroad lines to neighboring countries and supplied cheap--often forced--African labor to the mines and plantations of the nearby British colonies and South Africa. Because policies were designed to benefit white settlers and the Portuguese homeland, little attention was paid to Mozambique's national integration, its economic infrastructure, or the skills of its population.
After World War II, while many European nations were granting independence to their colonies, Portugal clung to the concept that Mozambique and other Portuguese possessions were overseas provinces of the mother country, and emigration to the colonies soared. Mozambique's Portuguese population at the time of independence was about 250,000. The drive for Mozambican independence developed apace, and in 1962 several anti-colonial political groups formed the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), which initiated an armed campaign against Portuguese colonial rule in September 1964. After 10 years of sporadic warfare and major political changes in Portugal, Mozambique became independent on June 25, 1975.
The last 30 years of Mozambique's history have reflected political developments elsewhere in the 20th century. Following the April 1974 coup in Lisbon, Portuguese colonialism collapsed. In Mozambique, the military decision to withdraw occurred within the context of a decade of armed anti-colonial struggle, initially led by American-educated Eduardo Mondlane, who was assassinated in 1969. When independence was achieved in 1975, the leaders of FRELIMO's military campaign rapidly established a one-party state allied to the Soviet bloc and outlawed rival political activity. FRELIMO eliminated political pluralism, religious educational institutions, and the role of traditional authorities.
The new government gave shelter and support to South African (ANC) and Zimbabwean (ZANU) liberation movements while the governments of first Rhodesia and later apartheid South Africa fostered and financed an armed rebel movement in central Mozambique called the Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO). Civil war, sabotage from neighboring states, and economic collapse characterized the first decade of Mozambican independence. Also marking this period were the mass exodus of Portuguese nationals, weak infrastructure, nationalization, and economic mismanagement. During most of the civil war, the government was unable to exercise effective control outside of urban areas, many of which were cut off from the capital. An estimated 1 million Mozambicans perished during the civil war, 1.7 million took refuge in neighboring states, and several million more were internally displaced. In the third FRELIMO party congress in 1983, President Samora Machel conceded the failure of socialism and the need for major political and economic reforms. He died, along with several advisers, in a suspicious 1986 plane crash.
His successor, Joaquim Chissano, continued the reforms and began peace talks with RENAMO. The new constitution enacted in 1990 provided for a multi-party political system, market-based economy, and free elections. The civil war ended in October 1992 with the Rome General Peace Accords. Under supervision of the ONUMOZ peacekeeping force of the United Nations, peace returned to Mozambique.
By mid-1995 the more than 1.7 million Mozambican refugees who had sought asylum in neighboring Malawi, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Zambia, Tanzania, and South Africa as a result of war and drought had returned, as part of the largest repatriation witnessed in Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, a further estimated 4 million internally displaced returned to their areas of origin.