Letters from Overseas

November 2008

• Conselho Cristao de Mocambique
  Zambezia, Sector de Comunicacoes
  Ave Julius Nyerere 948, CP 400
  Quelimane MOCAMBIQUE

There was much weeping among them all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, grieving especially because of what he had said, that they would not see him again.

Acts 20:37–38

The Bible, like life, is full of partings. In the book of Acts, where Paul and other disciples journey from one new church to the next, departures happen in chapter after chapter. Paul being Paul—cantankerous, inflexible–some people sometimes are glad to see him go. But often, as in this scene at Miletus, people will miss one another. Phases of a life come and end, yet we meet again, or remain in one another's loving memories and hearts—in touch, one way or another.

In Mozambique the school year is just ending, and the classrooms are empty till January next year. The PEDRA staff has been doing their year-end analysis of how the year went for the 484 girls aged 10 to 15 who started 2008 in PEDRA. The figures give you typical snapshots of girls' lives here. This year, two girls left to get married. Seven got pregnant. Five left the program when their families moved away in search of other opportunities. Some had scheduling changes at school that left them unable to attend. Some had to withdraw to help with home responsibilities—working the fields, gathering wood or water, care of infant siblings. Some, of course, just grew up—or at least felt they had outgrown PEDRA.

Four girls died. One suffered a seizure, fell in a well, and drowned. One died apparently of cerebral malaria. No one knows the causes of the sudden deaths of two others; rural health centres haven't the facilities, staff, equipment, or training to diagnose—let alone treat—many endemic conditions or diseases. These were all girls in their early teens. Early death happens a lot, here in Zambezia, and you never get used to it.

Many girls are looking ahead already to the next school year. All of the girls in the bursary program passed their school exams and were promoted. The 12 girls in the Nicoadala Teacher Training Centre will be teachers next year—role models to every young girl in their classes. Five bursary girls will begin their last two years of high school here in the capital Quelimane, joining the first girl, Aida, who started to study here this year. In Molumbo where PEDRA girls live in a residence, there is much anticipation: two more dormitory rooms are being built, and the girls are unloading lumber for rafters. Once it's built, there'll be just a short time before next term to arrange bunk-beds, mattresses and sheets. There'll be scores of new girls joining PEDRA.

As for what PEDRA overall achieved this year, the director of the school in Mucisse for example says the PEDRA girls set a strong example for everyone. In rural Zambezia, girls at puberty go away for a week or so of secluded initiation rites, where basically each is taught that her life role will be to please a man. They return mute, subdued, submissive—shrunken posture, eyes downcast—and may remain that way for the rest of their lives. But the girls of PEDRA are vigorous, verbal, alert. They volunteer questions and answers in class, and influence their peers.

We celebrate their successes. And we miss the girls who one way or another have departed.

In mission and service,
Karen and Bill Butt

Karen and Bill Butt are United Church of Canada Overseas Personnel serving with Conselho Cristao de Mocambique in Mozambique. The work of this ecumenical partner and the work of overseas personnel are made possible through your gifts to the Mission and Service Fund of The United Church of Canada.