“An experience in Mozambique...”

Benjamin Olson worked at JAM South Africa doing his University internship for 4 months. Here is a report he did after returning from a 6 day trip to deliver vehicles to Mozambique to assist with the disaster relief after cyclone Favio. Herewith his report....

Mozambique was quite an experience. I am still amazed. This German guy has never experienced anything like this! It was truly third world, and it is still so foreign to me, how these people are able to live in the bush. Mozambique is a beautiful country and I have come to love the people there as well.

It took us 6 days to travel back and forth from Johannesburg to Beira. We stayed over-night in Maputo, Vilanculos and Beira. The area in Vilanculos was badly damaged by the cyclone. The disaster we saw and the reports from locals were shocking. This was a trip of extremes between beautiful, amazing as well as heartbreaking. The beauty and serenity of the coconut tree forests and the ocean obviously contributed to the amazing aspects of Mozambique. Interviewing JAM's field workers (which I have high respect for) gave me a slight insight in the amazing work that JAM is doing "out there".

We were able to visit a school and see the feeding taking place. Indeed, visiting the kids and spending time with them was the highlight of my trip. While talking to teachers, and realizing that most of the children wouldn't come to school unless they were fed, I actually understand more of the huge importance and significant impact JAM's work is having within each child's life. I went away with the urgency that "they really need us". This week was literately an eye-opener for me. I captured the truth that it is not about us, but about "them".

I find that so often one can become distracted with little unimportant things and lose focus on the ultimate purpose - the passion that drives us all. If one really understands the need and sees the great opportunities available, passion and enthusiasm will be ignited. It was quite impressive to see the factory and the warehouse in the context of the impact that it makes. It also appears to be the only structure of it's kind in all of Mozambique. The school we went to was in the Pambarra area. JAM has been operating it's feeding program there for a remarkable 14 years now. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to go to this beautiful country. The hundreds of pictures I took will help me remember what I have experienced.

Ben