The Opportunity

Mozambique is one of the world's poorest nations with over 1 million children unable to access education and around half of the population unable to read. Education is a key to changing the future of this nation and breaking the cycle of poverty. 

The Plots Project is about converting undeveloped land that we have been allocated into an educational campus, ultimately providing educational opportunities for 10,000 people in the surrounding community and beyond.

In total, 120 acres of land in Mungassa was allocated to Mission Educate by the Beira City Council to provide facilities for primary, secondary and tertiary education and the development of vocational education.  

We are now able to commence the development of the Vocational Training College because of a significant funding opportunity.

Because the land is undeveloped it currently has 3,300 plots where local people are legally able to grow food for their families. This is the Mozambican way! It is our legal obligation to compensate them for their vegetable plot and help them relocate so they can continue to feed their families.

The Challenge

Our challenge is to obtain the funds needed to compensate those who grow food on the 3,300 plots on our land. 

Our vision is to see our region and the nation impacted with quality educational programs. These programs will provide a catalyst for releasing people from the poverty cycle.

The Target

Each plot holder is to be compensated the equivalent of $62 AUD as determined by the Beira City Council. 

We must raise $204,600 AUD by May 26th in order to compensate all 3,300 plot holders once they have harvested the current rice crop. This will enable them to relocate and plant their next crop. The time constraint has been set by the Beira City Council.

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Who is Mission Educate?

Mission Educate is an Australian charity, developing quality educational programs in Mozambique. 

Mission Educate aims to provide an educational pathway for young people from pre-school to employment. It has already established a well-respected primary and secondary school of 1850 students in Beira, Mozambique’s second largest city.

What is ‘The Plots Project’?

The Plots Project is about converting 120 acres of undeveloped land into an educational campus ultimately providing educational opportunities for 10,000 Mozambicans, living in one of the poorest countries in the world.  

This Educational Campus will have a School Precinct, a University Precinct, a Vocational Precinct, Sporting Facilities and a Housing Precinct for students and staff.

Mission Educate has received this allocation 120 acres from the the Beira City Council to develop facilities and educational programs for primary, secondary, tertiary education and the development of vocational education.  

Because of a significant funding opportunity, we are able to commence the development of the Vocational Training College. 

Prior to the commencement of development, we have a challenge. The undeveloped land is currently under vegetable cultivation by people living in extreme poverty in our community who have no other option to provide food for their families. 

There are currently 3,300 vegetable plots on the land where families are growing rice and vegetables.  It is our legal obligation to help these families relocate by paying them compensation before we can start any development. This compensation will allow them to lease other available land to grow food.

What vocational courses will be provided at the Vocational Training College?

• Agriculture

• Basic Business

• Construction

• Other courses such as Hospitality, Child Care, Health Care and Textiles will be gradually introduced.

What do you mean with “a significant funding opportunity”?

We have applied for funding from various NGO and government sources.  We have already received notification from one of these applications that significant funding is available subject to the completion of appropriate documentation.  

Why is a plot $62?

This is the amount set by the local government converted from Australian dollars into the local currency.

Why do you have to pay compensation?

To assist in food production, government regulations give Mozambicans the right to plant crops on undeveloped land. The majority (approximately 80%) of Mozambicans are desperately poor and landless. For most, this is their only source of food. 

When that property is about to be developed, the land developer must pay a compensation payment to each person who has planted crops on the land.The compensation amount is set by the government and is currently $62AUD per plot.

What will happen to the families that are currently using the plots?

The purpose of the compensation is to help families relocate and continue to plant crops to feed their families.

Why do you need the money by 26 May?

This is the timeline given to us by Beira City Council because of the sowing and harvest cycle for crops. Compensation needs to be paid as the rice is harvested so alternative plots can be accessed to sow the winter crops.

How will my donation help the project?

Every donation of $62 AUD will go straight into the hands of each of the 3,300 plot holders and help them relocate and continue to feed their families. This is a critical first step in the development our the Vocational Training College.

Is my gift tax deductible?

All donations of $5 or more by Australian taxpayers are tax deductible. You will receive a tax deductible receipt for your donation after all donations have been reconciled at the conclusion of the campaign.

Who receives the money?

The money is received by each family or individual who has registered with the local government as having one of the 3,300 plots on our land.

Is this a bribe?

No. This is not a bribe. No government official or non farming family is receiving any of this money. Only registered plot holders receive the compensation payment to which they are legally entitled according to Mozambican law.

Who distributes the money?

A cash payment will be personally distributed by Mission Educate staff in Mozambique to each registered plot holder.

Payment will be made to plot holders showing their government identification card at the local council office under the scrutiny of council officials.  

Will all the money raised go to this project?

Yes. All money raised in this campaign will go to the registered plot holders. No part of your donation will be withheld by Mission Educate or paid to Government Officials.

Who will benefit from the Vocational Training College?

• Our goal is to provide vocational training for around 500 young people, 50% of whom will be female, in the first 3 years.
• We will also be targeting marginalised youth, girls and women of all ages to provide vocational skills enabling them to earn a living.

Does this project empower women?

Mission Educate already has a strong commitment to providing education for female students.  50% of our students at Kings of Kings school are female. 

The Vocational Training College will have a specific focus on providing educational opportunities for females and we will be developing support programs for women, such as transport, child care, health & hygiene to maximise participation by women.

Do you employ local staff, teachers and labourers?

Mission Educate has an Australian board and support office. We have one Australian staff member in Mozambique, employed as a Project Director. The majority of our staff and leadership in Mozambique are Mozambicans.

Whenever possible, we employ local construction workers and companies for building projects in Mozambique (including the Vocational Training College).  In addition, most of the building materials are  sourced locally.

Does the Mozambican government support this project?

We have support for this project from all levels of the Mozambican Government. Vocational education is a critical need in the nation. A high majority of secondary school graduates have no technical skills to enable their employment. 

Government support has been demonstrated with:

• The allocation of 120 acres from the Beira City Council.  

• The provisional registration for the Vocation Training College by the Ministry of Science, Technology, Superior and Technical Professional Education.

• An invitation to become a foundation member of the Association of TVET Providers in Mozambique.

Does Mission Educate have track record of education in Mozambique?

We have provided education in Mozambique since 2003 with the gradual development of a highly respected primary and secondary school of over 1800 students.

• The results of our students to national exams are significantly higher than the national average.

• Our retention rate for students from primary education to secondary education and the completion of secondary education are amongst the highest in the nation.

• Of the Year 12 graduates from 2015, 25% have entered higher education, 40% have gained employment and others are self-employed or pursuing other short courses.

• We also provide short courses in IT and English at a low cost to the community to help them gain skills for employment.

• We are now employing graduates from our Secondary School who have completed their teacher training qualification, as teachers in the school.

Why doesn't Mission Educate buy another plot of land that does not have locals growing crops on it?

The short answer to this question is that there is no land for sale.

Because land in Mozambique is owned by the government, it is very difficult to find large tracts of land for sale. The government allocates land to businesses and organisations for development. Until that development occurs, the land is considered to be undeveloped and is available for cultivation to poor Mozambicans to grow food. 

When the government grants access to a parcel of land for development, the business or organisation must then make the compensation payment to commence development and construction. 

Compensation would have to be paid on any parcel of land that was allocated to us. The property we are hoping to develop is strategically situated and will be a great educational benefit to the community. There could be land available further from the city, if the government approved the allocation. However, because of the distance from the city, there are many more people growing food and we would still be faced with the same, or greater financial challenge.

How can the land be called undeveloped when it is being used for growing crops?

Any land that has not been allocated to a business or organisation is considered to be undeveloped, until a development application is received by the government. Until that time it is available for cultivation.

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