Dear Friends

As you would probably know, Ilha de Moçambique was hit by Cyclone Dikeledi and has sustained widespread damage. Cyclone Dikeledi swept right across the island and the nearby coastal villages where so many people live in precarious housing. Homes, schools, gardens, fishing boats and everything else was destroyed. The frightening reality is that cyclones are becoming more frequent and more destructive - this is undeniably a consequence of Climate Change

We have set up a Gofundme account to assist Ilha Blue workers and their families caught up in this tragedy. Our plan is to raise money to buy the materials and the labour to immediately put a roof over at least one room in each house. And as soon as possible to rebuild everyone’s house so that they are more able to withstand future cyclones.

Background

When we established Ilha Blue as a social enterprise on Ilha de Mozambique we were committed to using our experience in tourism to make new opportunities for the people from the island. And we decided that the best way to do this was to provide secure well-paid employment so that islanders could earn enough money to lift themselves out of poverty.

This has worked. Some workers used the money they have earned over many years to buy small plots of land and build their own homes. Others used their income to improve the home they already share with extended family members

However, on the 13th January when cyclone Dikeledi suddenly swept through it destroyed everything they have worked so long and hard to build.

What has been lost

Every worker lost their roof, walls and their possessions. Some have lost absolutely everything with their home reduced to rubble, possessions destroyed, with nothing worth salvaging. It’s terribly sad.

Power is still out after 10 days, and the authorities are unable to say when it will be restored. Town water supply has ceased operating, cisterns are contaminated. Roads on the mainland are cut so it is difficult to get food supplies - when they arrive there is no cash to buy them as the ATM is not functioning.

What we can do with your help

We have been approached by many friends, particularly those who have visited Ilha and formed relationships with members of the Ilha Blue team. Many have offered to help with financial assistance. Through daily discussions with our team at Ilha Blue we have ascertained everyone’s situation. The bottom line is: everyone immediately needs a roof over their heads.

Our plan is to raise money to buy the materials and the labour to immediately put a roof over at least one room in each house to give protection from both rain and sun. And from that safe standpoint, rebuild everyone’s house so that they are more able to withstand future cyclones.

What the impact will be

A sense of future, hope and increased resilience.

Hearth and home are central to the well-being of the community.

Affected families are currently living with neighbours in overcrowded conditions.

As soon as roofs are replaced they will be able to move back into their homes, continue putting their lives back together. And the rebuilding project can commence in earnest.

From our many discussions with staff over the past week, we believe that the prospect of building a better home will give everyone the hope and fortitude they need to go forward. And while nobody knows yet when electricity and clean water will be readily available, or when schools and clinics will function again, this is a concrete action, a crucial first step to get back on track to a credible future.

How about Ilha Blue

Ilha Blue offers all its available resources to help in the relief effort.

Ilha Blue will continue to employ the current staff so they can continue to have the security of a regular income.

The last 3 months have been very difficult due to the civil unrest. Tourism has all but ceased. Like in Covid times, we turned the setback into a positive: back then, we implemented Axinene Ari Vava, a Women’s Tourism and Arts project, this time we will implement a small scale, house rebuilding project.

With deep gratitude

Gail & Pete

PS * Important *

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