Building resilience through cash transfers in Mozambique

By António Massipa

Joana became a beacon of hope and resilience for her four nephews and nieces—Antonio and Toni, the energetic twins, and her two spirited nieces, Casimiro and Anifa. Joana's life took a significant turn when she took in these children after they tragically lost their mother.

For years, Joana struggled to make ends meet by "selling maize flour, tomatoes, and onions." Despite her relentless efforts, "the income was barely enough to provide for my family. The weight of responsibility was heavy on me, but I my spirit remained unbroken, because I had to be strong for these children who are now mine," Joana says.

Everything changed when Joana became a beneficiary of a cash transfer programme funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and implemented by World Vision. For four months, Joana received financial assistance that transformed her life and the lives of her beloved nephews and nieces.

With the money she received, "I started a new business. I started preparing and selling food and soft drinks," she says.  This new venture not only provided a more stable income but also allowed her to better care for Antonio, Toni, Anifa and Casimiro. The children, once facing an uncertain future, now had a more secure and nurturing environment.
 

The project, named "Health System Strengthening to Respond to COVID-19 and Future Pandemics in Nampula," aimed to directly improve the living conditions of 5500 vulnerable people, helping them build resilience to various shocks. Over 20 months, the project achieved three critical outcomes: enhancing local social services and infrastructures to meet the needs of vulnerable groups, strengthening public health facilities to better respond to pandemics like COVID-19, and fostering equitable access to health and hygiene services, especially for women and girls.

Joana's story is just one of many, which highlight the profound impact of the project. The cash transfer not only provided immediate relief but also empowered Joana to create a sustainable livelihood. Her determination and the support she received have given her family a chance at a brighter future.

As Joana continues to nurture and support her nephews and nieces, her story stands as a testament to the power of community support and the resilience of the human spirit. In the face of adversity, Joana has become a symbol of hope, showing that with a little help, even the most challenging circumstances can be overcome.