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| Above are all the girls in the survey group: Sissy, Blair, myself (left to right) and our taxi driver along with the local women that helped us tie our skirts and hats properly. |
This morning I had the privilege to join another team with their research project that was evaluating issues revolving trust in the surrounding community. We drove as a team to the local market to buy traditional skirts for the ladies. It is much more acceptable to go into the rural communities if we are wearing the same clothing as the other women as a sign of respect. The patterns are of all colors and designs that line the walls of markets. It was a great experience to try going to another market other than the one next to the hotel.
I was nervous and the first Mozambican I saw, I said “obrigada” which means “thank you” when I meant to say “Bon Dia” or good morning. The translator and other team members immediately all started busting laughing and eventually I joined along with me. It was all in good fun and comes with the territory while working in another country. From then on I made a conscious effort to say Bon Dia.
Once we had our skirts we drove a little further down the road and stopped when a family was seen to the right. We got out of the car and the translator asked if she would be willing to participate. Some of the questions included the age of the individual, number in their household, number of children, weekly income and the amount they spent in addition to other general background questions.
Furthermore, their religion and religious practices were inquired about. A scenario was given about if they lost a wallet with money and an identification card, do they think it would be more likely or less likely to be returned by different people for example: neighbors, police, and people of the same religion or different religions? These questions better enable students to potentially understand trust or lack thereof which can be used to improve, disparity, worker/boss relationships, and religious interactions.
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| Children and a mother in the community of the first women we interviewed. Photo Credit: Sissy B. |
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| Playing with the children in the village with a ball made of plastic bags and twine. You do not need a lot to have a heart full of happiness and these children are living proof. Photo Credit: Sissy B. |
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| Interviewing an out grower for New Horizons that is growing flocks of poultry for New Horizons. Photo Credit: Sissy B. |
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| It is incredible to see the first hand impact that New Horizons is having in the surrounding community. People now have greater access to protein and a potential source of income than before. It is inspiring to see that with some help, this man is able to grow his understanding of farming, economy, and health. |
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| This woman was cooking pumpkin over a fire cover with banana leaves when we arrived for the interview. Her husband was 80 years’ old which is twice the age of the average life expectancy in Nampula. Photo Credit: Sissy B. |
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Read more from Olivia at https://mozambiquefarming.wordpress.com/
To find out more about the faculty-led Community Development
in Mozambique summer program, visit http://studyabroad.uark.edu/mozambique
