A space to let children be children

Eye-catching smiles relieve the tense atmosphere in the transitory resettlement camp in Mocuba, a district in central Mozambique severely affected by floods. Children run, jump and play in a child friendly space set up with the help of World Vision. It is a way of helping them to deal with what they’ve been through and escape the memories of flooding.

Child friendly spaces are part of World Vision’s on-going response to the floods that have so far killed 120 people and displaced approximately 50,000. 

“Children affected by these floods are in urgent need of interventions such as this”, explains World Vision National Director, Graham Strong.

Child friendly spaces are part of World Vision’s on-going response to the floods that have so far killed 120 people and displaced approximately 50,000. Resources are scarce and World Vision is appealing for $2 million so it is able to meet the growing needs of those affected, especially children.   

Dealing with grief, loss and shock is never an easy task for children. It is possible to see the wounds left by the floods. But here, in this camp, children are learning to be children again.

“The floods came suddenly and hit on us all. We left home and ran in fear. But thanks to God we managed to escape” says Stélio, 11. “Now we feel a bit fine here, because we have a bit of food and water and we can play,” he says.

“The floods came suddenly and hit on us all. We left home and ran in fear. But thanks to God we managed to escape”

About 200 delighted boys and girls play skipping rope and hopscotch.

“We play a lot here and do a lot of activities. We also play football but yesterday our ball burst,” says Armando, 12.

 “We come and play with our friends,” he adds.

Parents and caregivers are in agreement: “We wish this to continue. In times such as these, we quickly forget that children continue to be children, irrespective of what happens”, Amélia, a mother, points out.