Mozambique Marine Conservation and Community Project
This project carries out research integral to the conservation of this unique marine environment, whilst ensuring input from all local stakeholders.
Quest volunteer teams have been visiting Tofo Beach every year since 2000 as part of the Southern Africa Explorer Expedition. With every visit Quest leaders grew closer to the local community members and built up close and long standing friendships. Keen to support this marine paradise and the local communities Quest set up their first Mozambique project in late 2006, working closely with ECOCEAN, AMAR (Associasao de Merguladores Activos de Resurcos Marinos Naturales ) as well as local universities and government departments.
Objectives
The short-term goals are to gather scientific information that can in turn be used to help local and global conservation initiatives and to create an environmental education programme. Local involvement is key and therefore at every stage local groups are involved in planning and decision making. Longer term goals involve the development of sustainable fisheries, the initiation of training and education programmes for local villagers and the protection of the abundant marine life.
Achievement overview (updated December 2009)
- Identified 13 new whale sharks and 7 manta rays never before recorded in Mozambique
- Construction of borehole and pump which will provide clean drinking water to 200 schoolchildren and a community of 360 people in total
- Carried out 72 research dives and 31 research snorkels
- Prepared community workshops and purchased additional materials for the local school
- Obtained funding for our first Mozambican employee and corporate funding to build a school for Tofo in 2008.
- Built a school for 200 children with two teams from the Scott Wilson Group in 2008.
Scott Wilson Group
In 2008 the Scott Wilson group built a school for 200 children in Tofo Mozambique, not only did they fund the project with a £25,000 donation, but 43 members of their staff volunteered a month of their time to build the school - incredible!
Before
Tofo desperately needed school facilities. The children were studying on a dusty cement floor with grass walls. They had no desks, chairs, books, bags or pens. The Scott Wilson group decided they could make a difference - through improving the educational environment and giving them a school they can be proud of. They worked alongside local people for their children's future, whilst also providing a building available for community facilities outside the school hours.
Building starts
Why the Scott Wilson Group got involved
"This project will give me the opportunity to spend a complete month in an area that will allow me to experience its culture and life style not just as a tourist." Jack Symmons.
"This is a brilliant opportunity to make a tangible difference in an area that requires a facility." Diane Riley.
This project, for around £100 a child didn't just give the gift of education, it gave these children the opportunity to raise themselves and their families out of poverty, giving hope to an entire community.
The finished school
