This blog was set up for members, family, and friends of the Canadian Habitat for Humanity - Global Village team travelling to Xai-Xai, Mozambique from November 19 through December 6, 2011. It will be used to document the challenges, successes, and impressions they have while providing affordable and decent housing in conjunction with the Mozambique 'Orphans and Vulnerable Children' program.
For background and information on the trip, please visit the trip website using the link found the "Books 'n Links" post. For updates as the trip progresses - check back here in November! Although internet access is limited in Xai-Xai, we will try to provide periodic updates, and at the very least we will post our updates upon our return to Canada.
See you soon!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Trip Overview
Content from the Global Village Website
A Serving Adventure! Global Village trips provide volunteers with the opportunity to travel and experience life off of the beaten path. Walk the streets and share the lives of folks inMozambique Africa as we build and explore.
If you don't mind hard work, have a good sense of humour, are adaptable, and have a desire to be a contributing member of a group working to assist in the construction of simple, safe and decent homes for extremely vulnerable families - consider joining this meaningful adventure. Our team will be building with the HFH Mozambique's Orphans and Vulnerable Children program. A program developed to provide shelter for the poorest of the poor – children who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
About Mozambique
The climate inMozambique
Mozambique Mozambique South Africa
During its years of peace,Mozambique Mozambique
Formed in 2000, Habitat for Humanity Mozambique has worked with poor communities, local volunteers and international volunteer teams to build hundreds of houses in the Provinces of Maputo, Manica andGaza
About Xai Xai
Xai Xai (pronounced Shy Shy) is situated on the banks of theLimpopo River in the Limpopo Valley Mozambique Maputo , Xai Xai is the capital of Gaza Province Indian Ocean .
Our trip starts inMaputo , Mozambique Republic of South Africa exploring the famous Kruger National Park
Accommodations
During the build, the team will stay in a simple hotel in Xai Xai with two people sharing per room. Each room has two single beds, electricity, hot shower, toilet and a/c (if it works!) Breakfast and dinner will be taken in the hotel's restaurant, and lunches will be at the build site.
A Serving Adventure! Global Village trips provide volunteers with the opportunity to travel and experience life off of the beaten path. Walk the streets and share the lives of folks in
If you don't mind hard work, have a good sense of humour, are adaptable, and have a desire to be a contributing member of a group working to assist in the construction of simple, safe and decent homes for extremely vulnerable families - consider joining this meaningful adventure. Our team will be building with the HFH Mozambique's Orphans and Vulnerable Children program. A program developed to provide shelter for the poorest of the poor – children who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
About Mozambique
The climate in
During its years of peace,
Formed in 2000, Habitat for Humanity Mozambique has worked with poor communities, local volunteers and international volunteer teams to build hundreds of houses in the Provinces of Maputo, Manica and
About Xai Xai
Xai Xai (pronounced Shy Shy) is situated on the banks of the
Our trip starts in
Accommodations
During the build, the team will stay in a simple hotel in Xai Xai with two people sharing per room. Each room has two single beds, electricity, hot shower, toilet and a/c (if it works!) Breakfast and dinner will be taken in the hotel's restaurant, and lunches will be at the build site.
Where are we??
Content from WorldAtlas.com
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique is located in south-eastern Africa, bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest. This area of Africa was explored by Vasco da Gama in 1498, and later colonized by Portugal in 1505. Five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with Mozambique's independence in 1975. It became the People's Republic of Mozambique shortly thereafter. As a result of Portuguese departure, a large-scale emigration by white business people soon followed.
A prolonged civil war (1977 – 1992) ensued, and both events severely hindered the country's development. The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A peace agreement between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) forces ended the fighting in 1992.
The national flag of Mozambique received its official recognition on May 1, 1983. The Mozambique flag is horizontally divided in four colors green, black, yellow and white. The black stripe is surrounded by two white bands on both the sides. The color green represents agriculture, red stands for the great effort for independence and white symbolizes peace. The color black on the flag of Mozambique represents the African continent. On the raise is located a red triangle and within it is a yellow five-pointed star. On top of the yellow pentagram is an open white book with a hoe and an AK-47 in black. The Mozambique Flag is the first national flag of its kind to have an image of an AK-47 on it.Country Profile
content from the HfH Mozambique handbook
Capital: Maputo
Government: The country has a President and a Prime Minister. The last election was in 2009 and the next is due 2014. The country is divided into 10 provinces and the capital city is treated as a province on its own.
Population: 23.4 million (UN 2010) 42% of the children are orphans
Urbanization: 30% live in cities
Life expectancy: 41.37 years
HIV prevalence rate: 13.22% on average
Number of AIDS orphans: 400,000
Population living below $2 per day: 90%
Although having developed at an astonishing pace, Mozambique remains one of the most aid dependant countries in the world. Mozambique's 23.4 million people are desperately poor: 40 percent live on less than US$1 a day. According to UNICEF, there are 1.6 million orphans, 380,000 who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. Devastated by almost three decades of civil war, the economy of Mozambique could only fully begin reconstruction in 1994. Reduced inflation, the introduction of VAT and a reform of the customs service have improved the government's revenue collection abilities as well as heavy investment in human capital to assist with poverty reduction. Subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's workforce, with estimates of up to 80%. Tourism, after declining sharply during the war is now on the increase and this trend is set to continue with improved transport links and the Peace Park initiative which links several national parks.
Capital: Maputo
Government: The country has a President and a Prime Minister. The last election was in 2009 and the next is due 2014. The country is divided into 10 provinces and the capital city is treated as a province on its own.
Population: 23.4 million (UN 2010) 42% of the children are orphans
Urbanization: 30% live in cities
Life expectancy: 41.37 years
HIV prevalence rate: 13.22% on average
Number of AIDS orphans: 400,000
Population living below $2 per day: 90%
Although having developed at an astonishing pace, Mozambique remains one of the most aid dependant countries in the world. Mozambique's 23.4 million people are desperately poor: 40 percent live on less than US$1 a day. According to UNICEF, there are 1.6 million orphans, 380,000 who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. Devastated by almost three decades of civil war, the economy of Mozambique could only fully begin reconstruction in 1994. Reduced inflation, the introduction of VAT and a reform of the customs service have improved the government's revenue collection abilities as well as heavy investment in human capital to assist with poverty reduction. Subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's workforce, with estimates of up to 80%. Tourism, after declining sharply during the war is now on the increase and this trend is set to continue with improved transport links and the Peace Park initiative which links several national parks.
OVC Program
content from www.habitat.org
Formed in 2000, Habitat for Humanity Mozambique has worked with poor communities, local volunteers and international teams to build hundreds of houses in Maputo Province and up country in the provinces of Manica and Gaza.
Formed in 2000, Habitat for Humanity Mozambique has worked with poor communities, local volunteers and international teams to build hundreds of houses in Maputo Province and up country in the provinces of Manica and Gaza.
Habitat Mozambique has expanded its program to provide housing to the most vulnerable group: caretakers, orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) who have lost parents to HIV/AIDS. HFH Mozambique provides housing, latrines, inheritance plans, construction training, housing maintenance, mosquito nets and water treatment kits to each of these families. Through partnerships established with Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and other International NGOs such as Africare, HFH Mozambique weaves a crucial integrated approach to serve beneficiary families with all essential services. This comprehensive and coordinated support to meet their multi-dimensional needs for shelter, water, sanitation, malaria protection, health care, education, nutrition and psychological support is of utmost importance for program sustainability.
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| Construction with conventional materials |
 |
Construction with local materials |
When the OVC program started, Habitat Mozambique houses were made of local materials with stabilized foundations and cement floors. But with challenges in material availability, especially roofing thatch which was scarce during the rainy season, HFH Mozambique was forced to change to more conventional materials. All the methods used lower costs, increase efficiency and community involvement.
Highlights: 2006: The OVC program partnered with Opportunity International (OI) to address both basic income and shelter needs of OVCs, as OI provides microfinance to enable caregivers to earn income from small businesses.
2006: HFH Mozambique
2006: With this USAID funding, Habitat Mozambique has expanded into Manica Province
2010: Continued expansion of the Programme to Gaza Province
Families served to June 2010: 1487
Full house sponsorship cost: $2670 USD
Housing solutions: New houses
Books 'n Links
Dennis has been providing literary suggestions for the group to provide a background to the areas and situations we will be encountering:
Reading
There are also a number of sites on the internet that may be amusing:
Reading Note 2: The Fate of Africa : From the Hopes of Freedom to the Heart of Despair, by Martin Meredith. This work is nearly 700 pages and it is meticulously referenced however it does actually read like a novel. From a boomer perspective, I recognized many of the names of the leaders, the issues, (wars, famines, coupes, disasters) from the headlines in the press as I grew up but I must admit that I was unaware of the whole ‘decolinization’ process by the European powers and the ensuing chaos that engulfed the entire continent.
Reading Note 3: King Leopold’s Ghost, which is the harrowing story of the ‘colonization’ of what is now Zaire
Reading Note 4: A School For My Village by Twesegge Jackson Kaguri and published by the Penguin Group. An earlier version was published as The Price of Stones. This book tells the story of one individual’s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic that is currently sweeping Africa . There is also a very interesting Canadian connection. It is a quick read and worth the effort to track it down.
Reading Note 5: A Complicated War; The Harrowing of Mozambique by William Finnegan, An excellent overview of the tragedy of Mozambique after its independence from Portugal
Reading Note 5: A Complicated War; The Harrowing of Mozambique by William Finnegan, An excellent overview of the tragedy of Mozambique after its independence from Portugal
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| Are You Sure It's Plugged In? |
There are also a number of sites on the internet that may be amusing:
1) hfhmozambiqueca11113.weebly.com/ - Our trip website
2) gvmozambique2009.blogspot.com/ - Blog from a US GV group that built in Massaca in 2009
2) gvmozambique2009.blogspot.com/ - Blog from a US GV group that built in Massaca in 2009
3) h4hinmozambique.blogspot.com/ - Blog from a Canadian GV group that built in Xai-Xai in 2010
4) www.itstimeforafricawakawaka.blogspot.com - Blog from a Canadian GV group that buildt in Xai-Xai in August 2011, after which some of the group continued on to climb Kiliminjaro
5) www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppiHSpm1VSA – TravelChannel video about Mozambique and Maputo
6) www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0553ZAly6U – BestDestination video about Mozambique and Maputo
7) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xai-Xai - Wikipedia information on Xai Xai
8) www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmb7Q9jSE9I – Habitat video about their work in Mozambique
Itinerary
content from HfH Trip Schedule - modified and still subject to change
- Saturday, Nov 19 - Arrive in
Maputo ,Mozambique - Monday, Nov 21 – Work Day
- Tuesday, Nov 22 - Work Day
- Wednesday, Nov 23 - Work Half Day/Cultural Activity
- Thursday, Nov 24 - Work Day
- Friday, Nov 25 - Work Day
- Saturday, Nov 26 - Cultural Activities in Xai Xai
- Sunday, Nov 27 - Church and Cultural Activities
- Monday, Nov 28 - Work Day
- Tuesday, Nov 29 - Work Day
- Wednesday, Nov 30 - Work Half Day/Closing Ceremony
- Thursday, Dec 1 -Travel to Kruger National Park, South Africa for Safari Day 1
- Friday, Dec 2 - Safari Day 2 - Kruger Game Drive
Saturday, Dec 3 - Safari Day 3 - Animal Rehab site and Night Game Drive - Monday, Dec 5 - Safari Day 5 - Morning Game Walk, Return to Johannesburg
- Tuesday, Dec 6 - Depart for home (or continue with Johannesburg add-on)
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| Hey - Wait for Me! |
Accommodation
content from Dennis News Note and hotel websites
Maputo:
(Dennis is planning to meet the plane when it arrives and then we will be transported to the hotel.)
Name: Hoyo Hoyo Residencial Address: 837 Avenida Francisco Orlando Magumbwe, Maputo
Phone: 011-258-2149-1500
Fax: 011-258-2149-0724
Website: www.hoyohoyo.odline.com
E-mail: hoyohoyo@odline.com
Arrive: 19 Nov
Depart: 20 Nov
Nights: 1 night
Residencial Hoyo Hoyo is situated at the heart of Polana in Maputo, offering the best lodging conditions in a family environment at very competitive prices for either business or leisure trips. Located in one the best neighbourhoods in the capital, it is surrounded by the best restaurants in town, shopping centre, cinema and loads of places to visit. WiFi - Wireless Internet. The hotel comprises of 37 rooms, of which 2 are suites, 2 (large) double rooms, 6 junior double rooms, and 27 single rooms. All rooms are equipped with private bathrooms and direct dialling telephone, air conditioning, satellite television and a safe. The hotel also has at your disposal, a conference hall, a restaurant, and a car park with 24h security.
Xai Xai:
Name: Kaya Kahina
Address: 34, 1º Av. Samora Machel, Xai-Xai
Phone: 011-258-2822-2391
Fax: n.a.
Website: n.a.
E-mail: n.a.
Arrive: 20 Nov
Depart: 2 Dec
Nights: 12 nights
This is a small hotel. It is remodelled, is decent, clean, with nice rooms, each room will have a bathroom
Marc’s Camp:
Name: Marc’s Adventure Camp
Address: Lat = S24° 29.79', Long = E31° 4.47'. ‘Big 3’ enclosed game reserve outside Kruger National Park, SA
Phone: Safari contact Anthony Coila, Cell: 011-27-82-506-9641, Viva Safaris: 011-27-11-476-8842
Situated just 10 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport, Malikana Guesthouse and Conference Centre offers the perfect destination for overseas and local travelers, whether you are on business or in transit to other areas in South Africa. Our guest lodge offers 8 double rooms en-suite that can sleep 2, and some 3 people. All rooms are fully serviced. Malikana guesthouse is private and up market and it has the feel of a lodge far away from any city, yet it is close to all major areas of importance in Gauteng such as: Emperors Palace, East Rand Mall, Menlyn Shopping Centre, Eastgate, Bruma Fleamarket.
Maputo:
(Dennis is planning to meet the plane when it arrives and then we will be transported to the hotel.)
Name: Hoyo Hoyo Residencial Address: 837 Avenida Francisco Orlando Magumbwe, Maputo
Phone: 011-258-2149-1500
Fax: 011-258-2149-0724
Website: www.hoyohoyo.odline.com
E-mail: hoyohoyo@odline.com
Arrive: 19 Nov
Depart: 20 Nov
Nights: 1 night
Residencial Hoyo Hoyo is situated at the heart of Polana in Maputo, offering the best lodging conditions in a family environment at very competitive prices for either business or leisure trips. Located in one the best neighbourhoods in the capital, it is surrounded by the best restaurants in town, shopping centre, cinema and loads of places to visit. WiFi - Wireless Internet. The hotel comprises of 37 rooms, of which 2 are suites, 2 (large) double rooms, 6 junior double rooms, and 27 single rooms. All rooms are equipped with private bathrooms and direct dialling telephone, air conditioning, satellite television and a safe. The hotel also has at your disposal, a conference hall, a restaurant, and a car park with 24h security.
Xai Xai:
Name: Kaya Kahina
Address: 34, 1º Av. Samora Machel, Xai-Xai
Phone: 011-258-2822-2391
Fax: n.a.
Website: n.a.
E-mail: n.a.
Arrive: 20 Nov
Depart: 2 Dec
Nights: 12 nights
This is a small hotel. It is remodelled, is decent, clean, with nice rooms, each room will have a bathroom
Marc’s Camp:
Name: Marc’s Adventure Camp
Address: Lat = S24° 29.79', Long = E31° 4.47'. ‘Big 3’ enclosed game reserve outside Kruger National Park, SA
Phone: Safari contact Anthony Coila, Cell: 011-27-82-506-9641, Viva Safaris: 011-27-11-476-8842
Website: www.vivasafaris.com
E-mail: vivasaf@icon.co.za
Arrive: 2 Dec
Depart: 5 Dec
Nights: 3 nights, 4 days
Marc's Adventure Camp consists of 8 en suite chalets. The chalets have overhead fans, tiled floors and are supplied with towels and soap. There is a central Boma and swimming pool as well as a covered entertainment and lounge and dining room. It is a great favourite amongst the backpacking fraternity.
Guests at Marc's Camp are adventurous and young at heart. They are prepared to forfeit certain luxuries in the pursuit of a real African bush experience. They certainly are not afraid of frogs and spiders. The animals at Marc’s are free to move throughout the camp. Nyala and buffalo are often seen grazing below the treehouses and outside the chalets of the Adventure camp. Chalets at Marc’s Adventure Camp have fans and mosquito nets as well as en-suite ablutions. Marc’s Camp has an exellent “bush” feel about it.
Johannesburg:
Nights: 3 nights, 4 days
Marc's Adventure Camp consists of 8 en suite chalets. The chalets have overhead fans, tiled floors and are supplied with towels and soap. There is a central Boma and swimming pool as well as a covered entertainment and lounge and dining room. It is a great favourite amongst the backpacking fraternity.
Guests at Marc's Camp are adventurous and young at heart. They are prepared to forfeit certain luxuries in the pursuit of a real African bush experience. They certainly are not afraid of frogs and spiders. The animals at Marc’s are free to move throughout the camp. Nyala and buffalo are often seen grazing below the treehouses and outside the chalets of the Adventure camp. Chalets at Marc’s Adventure Camp have fans and mosquito nets as well as en-suite ablutions. Marc’s Camp has an exellent “bush” feel about it.
Johannesburg:
Name: Malikana Guest House
Address: 399/1 Harvest Street
Phone: 011-27-11-979-0172
Fax: 011-27-11-979-0133
Website: www.malikanaguesthouse.com
E-mail: info@malikanaguesthouse.com
Arrive: 5 Dec
Arrive: 5 Dec
Depart: varies
Situated just 10 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport, Malikana Guesthouse and Conference Centre offers the perfect destination for overseas and local travelers, whether you are on business or in transit to other areas in South Africa. Our guest lodge offers 8 double rooms en-suite that can sleep 2, and some 3 people. All rooms are fully serviced. Malikana guesthouse is private and up market and it has the feel of a lodge far away from any city, yet it is close to all major areas of importance in Gauteng such as: Emperors Palace, East Rand Mall, Menlyn Shopping Centre, Eastgate, Bruma Fleamarket.
Emergency Contacts
Please note that these contacts are only to be used in the case of a true emergency.
Emergency phone 226-808-7646 (call collect if necessary). If you don’t reach someone immediately, leave a detailed message and the on call person will call you back as soon as possible. When calling from outside Canada, dial 001- and then the ten-digit number.
Elifal Moises Magaia (called Magaia) - GV Coordinator for HFH Mozambique
Cell Phone: (+258) 82-536-4249
Email: magaia@hfhmozambique.org
National Director: Sharon Petrie
Cell phone: (+258) 84-313-0310
Office: Rue Almeida Garret 12, Bairo da coop, Caixa Postal 2479, Maputo, Mozambique
Office Phone: (+258) 82-313-0310
Dennis cell in Mozambique (+258-84-012-7935)
Please note: When calling from Canada, dial 011 and then the number.
High Commission of Canada in Mozambique
Address: Kenneth Kaunda Avenue, No. 1138, P.O. Box 1578, Maputo, Mozambique
Phone: (011) 258 (21) 492-623 Fax: (011) 258 (21) 492-667
Email: mputo@international.gc.ca
Monday to Thursday: 08:00 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 17:00 Friday: 08:00 – 13:00
After hours call collect to Foreign Affairs Canada: (613) 996-8885 / (613) 944-1310 (TTY)
For the duration of your trip, someone at Global Village will be available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you with emergencies. If we are not immediately available we will return your call as soon as possible. You may contact us anytime, day or night if you need assistance.
HFH Canada
Emergency phone 226-808-7646 (call collect if necessary). If you don’t reach someone immediately, leave a detailed message and the on call person will call you back as soon as possible. When calling from outside Canada, dial 001- and then the ten-digit number.
In-country contact information
Elifal Moises Magaia (called Magaia) - GV Coordinator for HFH Mozambique
Cell Phone: (+258) 82-536-4249
Email: magaia@hfhmozambique.org
National Director: Sharon Petrie
Cell phone: (+258) 84-313-0310
Office: Rue Almeida Garret 12, Bairo da coop, Caixa Postal 2479, Maputo, Mozambique
Office Phone: (+258) 82-313-0310
Dennis cell in Mozambique (+258-84-012-7935)
Please note: When calling from Canada, dial 011 and then the number.
High Commission of Canada in Mozambique
Address: Kenneth Kaunda Avenue, No. 1138, P.O. Box 1578, Maputo, Mozambique
Phone: (011) 258 (21) 492-623 Fax: (011) 258 (21) 492-667
Email: mputo@international.gc.ca
Monday to Thursday: 08:00 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 17:00 Friday: 08:00 – 13:00
After hours call collect to Foreign Affairs Canada: (613) 996-8885 / (613) 944-1310 (TTY)
Medex Travelers Assistance Network
(24 hrs, 7 days a week)
Policy # 6404-54-47 Medex code - CHB
In Canada
Around the world: Baltimore , Maryland
What Time is it?
What this means is that:
When it is 5:00 PM in Vancouver it is 2:00 AM in Xai-Xai (9 hours later)
When it is 5:00 PM in Calgary it is 1:00 AM in Xai-Xai (8 hours later)
When it is 5:00 PM in Toronto is 12:00 PM in Xai-Xai (7 hours later)
When it is 5:00 PM in Halifax it is 11:00 PM in Xai-Xai (6 hours later)
Or conversely:
When it is 5:00 PM in Xai-Xai it is 8:00 AM in Vancouver (9 hours earlier)
When it is 5:00 PM in Xai-Xai it is 9:00 AM in Calgary (8 hours earlier)
When it is 5:00 PM in Xai-Xai is 10:00 AM in Toronto (7 hours earlier)
When it is 5:00 PM in Xai-Xai it is 11:00 AM in Halifax (6 hours earlier)
For more information please visit:
Weather
content from the HfH Mozambique Handbook and www.mozambiquetravelservice.com
Summer: October-March
Winter: April-September
The climate varies in the different regions of the country, but generally the inland areas are slightly cooler, although more humid than along the coast in the rainy season. Winter is the dry season lasting from April to September. The southern parts of the country, such as our build site in Xai - Xai, is generally drier and less tropical than the north and central Mozambique, with temperatures along the coast averaging 80ºF (27ºC). The rainy season coincides with the heat and humidity from October to March, with average coastal temperatures of 88ºF (31ºC).
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| Praia do Xai Xai on a beautiful sunny day |
Winter: April-September
The climate varies in the different regions of the country, but generally the inland areas are slightly cooler, although more humid than along the coast in the rainy season. Winter is the dry season lasting from April to September. The southern parts of the country, such as our build site in Xai - Xai, is generally drier and less tropical than the north and central Mozambique, with temperatures along the coast averaging 80ºF (27ºC). The rainy season coincides with the heat and humidity from October to March, with average coastal temperatures of 88ºF (31ºC).
Average Temp, ° C 27(Nov) 27(Dec)
Average High Temp, °C 31(Nov) 32(Dec)
Average Low Temp, °C 21(Nov) 23(Dec)
Average Rainfall, cm 8(Nov) 9(Dec)
Average Number of Rainy Days 9(Nov) 10(Dec)
Average Number of Days Above 32°C 16(Nov) 20(Dec)
Currency
content from HfH Mozambique Handbook, wikipedia, and previous visitors
Note: Previous vistors to Xai-Xai reported that credit cards were common in Kruger and most places in Maputo. There was an an exchange place in Maputo airport to buy meticais and they also used a 'cambio' or money exchange in Xai-Xai. They did report difficulty in exchanging US dollars that were older than 2006, and that Canadian dollars were not readily accepted.
Banknotes: 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 meticais
The local currency in Mozambique is the Metical. In Maputo City
Note: Previous vistors to Xai-Xai reported that credit cards were common in Kruger and most places in Maputo. There was an an exchange place in Maputo airport to buy meticais and they also used a 'cambio' or money exchange in Xai-Xai. They did report difficulty in exchanging US dollars that were older than 2006, and that Canadian dollars were not readily accepted.
Banknotes: 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 meticais
Coins: 50 centavos, 1, 2, 5, 10 meticais
(obsolete: 1, 5, 10, 20 centavos)
Current Rates for meticais (MZN) and rand (ZAR) are approximately:
25 MZN = 1 $CDN, so that meal that costs 200 MZN is around 8 $CDN
7 ZAR = 1$CDN, so that lovely trinket that costs 35 ZAR is around 5 $CDN
(obsolete: 1, 5, 10, 20 centavos)
Current Rates for meticais (MZN) and rand (ZAR) are approximately:
25 MZN = 1 $CDN, so that meal that costs 200 MZN is around 8 $CDN
7 ZAR = 1$CDN, so that lovely trinket that costs 35 ZAR is around 5 $CDN
Communication
content from Hfh Mozambigue handbook and previous visitors
InMozambique , especially in Maputo City According to previous visitors: There is an internet cafe in Xai-Xai which is often busy and occasionally very slow, but it works.
The Mozambique
It is possible to make international phone calls from phone booths with the TDM phone centres around the country where you can also buy cards. You can also use cell phones to make and receive calls, using the Local mobile services providers (Mcel and Vodacom). Visitors should check to make sure their phone is compatible with international GSM/G4 phone technology if they intend to buy a SIM Card upon arrival in Mozambique.
It is possible to make international phone calls from phone booths with the TDM phone centres around the country where you can also buy cards. You can also use cell phones to make and receive calls, using the Local mobile services providers (Mcel and Vodacom). Visitors should check to make sure their phone is compatible with international GSM/G4 phone technology if they intend to buy a In
Electricity
content from HfH Mozambique handbook
TheMozambique Mozambique
The
The Type C plug - popularly known as the Euro plug, is a two-pin unearthed plug.
The Type F plug is much like the Type E, except it has two earth clips on the side rather than a female earth contact.
The Type M, or South African, electrical plug has three circular pins, and is essentially a larger version of the Type D.
Comment: Remember to check your electrical devices to ensure that they can handle 220/240 volts AC and 50 Hertz - otherwise you may also need a converter. Converters come in two types, one to handle low-demand appliances, and others for high-demand appliances like hairdryers.
Comment: Remember to check your electrical devices to ensure that they can handle 220/240 volts AC and 50 Hertz - otherwise you may also need a converter. Converters come in two types, one to handle low-demand appliances, and others for high-demand appliances like hairdryers.
Language Primer
excerpt from previous blog and HfH Mozambique
Portuguese - A primer
Portuguese - A primer
Hello! / Good morning!
Good afternoon!
Good evening! / Good night!
Hi! /
Good bye Adeus
Please Por favour
See you later Até mais
Thank you (very
You’re welcome Não há de quê
Welcome
I’m sorry
Excuse me / Pardon
Let’s go!
How are you? Como
Good / Very good
Bad / Very bad Mal / Muito mal
Yes / No
What is your name? Qual é o seu nome?
My name is…
Where are you from? De onde você é?
I’m from…
How old are you? Quantos anos você tem?
I am _____ years old Eu tenho _____ anos
Do
I (don’t)
Do you understand? Compreende?
I
Can you help me?
What? PardonComo
Where is / are Onde está / Onde estão… ?
Here Aqui
There is
How do you say ___ Como
What is that?
What’s the matter
It doesn’t
What’s
I’m tired / sick Estou cansado / doente
I’m hungry / thirsty Estou com fome / sêde
I’m hot / cold Estou com calor / frio
That’s
I forgot Me esqueci
Bless you!
Good
Once more - in Changana!
Once more - in Changana!
Good morning/ good afternoon Dzi xile/ dzi pelili
Thank you Kanimambo
How are you (sing/pl)? Wo / mo yini?
Stay well (sing/pl) Sala/Salani kwatsi
Goodbye Hambanine
My name is…. Ha vitu dzanga hi….
What is your name? Hi mani vito dzuku?
Xai-Xai
content from previous HfH blog
The town of Safari
Content from Dennis and Viva Safaris
Our tour provider is MoAfrika Tours (www.moafrikatours.com) and the safari is handled by Viva Safaris (http://www.vivasafaris.com/).
Our tour provider is MoAfrika Tours (www.moafrikatours.com) and the safari is handled by Viva Safaris (http://www.vivasafaris.com/).
We will be doing their 4 Day Adventure Safari and will be picked up in Nelspruit on Friday, December the 1st and returned to Johannesburg in the early evening of Monday, December 5th. Costs for the safari are included in the R&R total, but do not include lunches, drinks and personal items.
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| Guess Who's Coming to Dinner! |
FOUR DAY ADVENTURE SAFARI
Day One : We collect you from Nelspruit and drive to Marc’s Camp. There you transfer to an open Gameviewer for a Sunset Drive. After dark, spotlights are used to locate nocturnal animals. Your accommodation comprises en suite chalets. All the chalets are supplied with bedding, soap and towels, mosquito nets and fans. There is a swimming pool and the whole camp is floodlit at night. Dinner in the open air Boma is enhanced by the calls of hyenas, jackals and bushbabies.
Day Two : After breakfast you travel on the open-sided Gameviewer to the Orpen Gate of Kruger. The added elevation and absence of windows allow for excellent viewing and photographic opportunities. Your qualified guide will show you various animals, large and small, that frequent this outstanding wildlife paradise. The zone of Kruger you visit has the highest percentage population of giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and impala that attract numerous lions and other predators. Dinner and overnight at Marc’s Camp.
Day Three : Enjoy another great day of game viewing and bird watching in Kruger on the open vehicle. Your guide will attempt to show you all the animals you have not yet seen. Dinner and overnight at Marc’s Camp.
Day Four : We have an early morning Bush Walk accompanied by an armed ranger. You will be shown various interesting details of the bush, including insects, spoor and scats. You have an excellent chance of encountering buffalo, nyala and other game on foot. After breakfast, we drive to the Three Rondawels of the Blyde River Canyon
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| Can't wait to meet you! |
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