The work of terre des hommes schweiz is aimed first and foremost at young people. However, some of our partner organisations also work with adults, who thus become role models for young people. The following example from Rosaria in Mozambique shows this impressively.
Gabriela Wichser, Programme Manager Mozambique
During my last visit to our partner organisation AMUDEM (Empowerment of Girls and Women in Mozambique) I met Rosaria*, 40 years old and mother of seven children. Last year Rosaria became a victim of domestic violence. Shortly after the birth of her last son, her husband increasingly distanced himself from her. He left all the work in the house and on the fields to her. Soon after, he told her that he would leave her to start a new family with a younger woman. He took with him all the savings Rosaria had accumulated over several years and which were earmarked for the construction of a larger house, as well as a bicycle, a radio, various supplies and seeds. He also harassed Rosaria massively and spoke badly about her in public. Alone with her seven children and elderly parents, she turned to Amudem.
Nothing to be ashamed of
Rosaria had known AMUDEM since 2009 when Amudem started women's groups. Later, Rosaria herself was a member of a volunteer group that did awareness-raising work on the issue of gender-based violence in the villages. Unlike other women, she was not ashamed to seek help. The reason: through her work she was already familiar with the topic and knew the situation through the stories of suffering of other women.
Against local traditions
The help from Amudem strengthened Rosaria in this very difficult life situation. When one of the consultations was about future prospects, Rosaria expressed the wish to build a house for her family herself. In rural Mozambique it is traditionally reserved for men to build houses. However, the counsellor encouraged Rosaria in her plan, knowing full well that Rosaria's plans were not compatible with local traditions. Amudem works with a solution-oriented approach that focuses on the strengths and resources of the people.
Your house built piece by piece by yourself
Rosaria did not allow herself to be distracted by the social structures and is therefore today the proud owner of a new, bigger and better quality house, which she built with her own muscle power. She has fired bricks and planted fields to use the proceeds to buy corrugated iron for the roof. With every brick Rosaria laid, her self-esteem changed. Today she looks confidently into the future: she sends all her children to school (boys and girls) and she looks forward to a life without a husband.
Helps other women take courage
The expected negative reaction of the neighbours did not occur. On the contrary, she is earning much admiration for her new home and for the courage with which she has guided her life in new directions. Rosaria speaks of her experiences at Amudem awareness events in other villages. In this way she helps other women to take courage and talk about their experiences of violence.
* Name changed
