By Johanna Mitscherlich
At 14 years, most teenagers in the West are becoming young adults: growing confident and taking on greater responsibilities. But at the same time most of them can still rely on their parents and older family members to provide them with what they need, allowing them to stay in school and enjoy time with their friends afterwards. When talking to 14-year old Patiente in Southern Mozambique however, this way of life seems very far away. Since last year, her country has suffered from the worst drought in 35 years. Like Patiente and her family, 70 percent of the population are dependent on agriculture as a source for food and income. Without rain, crops have failed, especially in the south and central parts of Mozambique, and families are going hungry across the country.
Patiente, 14, has to take care of her younger brothers and sisters. (Photo: Johanna Mitscherlich/CARE)
When Patiente’s father passed away two years ago, her mother Amelia could usually provide for the family by working on other people’s fields. But this year, the drought has destroyed all the crops and Patiente’s mother spends days away from her daughter and 3 younger siblings between the ages of five and eleven. “I try to find whatever work I can, sometimes very far away from our village. I collect wild leaves and chestnuts in the bushes for my children to eat. Sometimes it’s enough for two meals a day, other days only for one. It hurts to know that this is all I can feed them with.” A few months ago, the family received food assistance from CARE. But with the drought response being currently only 16 percent funded, CARE and other organizations can only reach a third of the people in need.
While Amelia is away, Patiente takes on her tasks. Her day starts as early as 5 o’clock, when she prepares breakfast for her three younger brothers and sisters. She mashes the chestnuts her mother collects and boils them in water. “I want my siblings to think that they are having something different, something special”, she says with her engaging smile. After breakfast, Patiente walks to school. “I love going to school. I like seeing my friends and my favorite subjects are Portuguese and English. But it’s becoming more and more difficult to go to school, as I have to do so many other things and sometimes I feel very tired.” Patiente cares for her younger siblings, watching, bathing and hugging them when they cry. She washes up the plates and cups, collects firewood and cleans the house. Every other day, Antoniette, a CARE-volunteer, drops by the house to help Amelia and her children. “When I am away, I worry all the time for my children. Knowing that Antoniette keeps an eye on them, at least makes me feel a little better,” says Amelia.
On her way back home, Patiente collects water for the family. As the 25 liter canister is too heavy for her to carry, her mother built a small cart which Patiente pulls over the sandy ground. A few weeks ago, CARE built a well only 15 walking minutes away from Patiente’s home. “This has made it a lot easier for me, as I don’t have to walk hours and hours after school to fetch water anymore and have time again to do my homework.”
Patiente’s family is not alone with their difficulties. Almost everyone in their small village was not able to harvest their crops this year. In April, the government of Mozambique officially declared a state of national disaster. Almost two million people – 11 percent of the rural population – is without a source of adequate income and food. It’s mothers like Amelia who have to shoulder most of the weight of this catastrophe. It’s girls like Patiente, whose futures are endangered by it. The humanitarian impact of the El Niño induced drought extends well beyond food insecurity. It impacts education, health, water, sanitation and hygiene, and women and children in particular facing significant threats. Drought, food and water shortages bring an increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence, as women and children have to travel ever increasing distances in search of water. There have been reports of increases in child marriage as well as survival sex to obtain resources for themselves and their families. Girls are especially likely to drop out of school to help their families. “I want to do everything I can to make sure Patiente can continue her education. I don’t want this to be her future”, she says and points to the little makeshift shelter out of sticks and wood the family calls their home. “I really hope I don’t have to drop out of school,” Patiente says. “I know what I want, I want to become a pilot. One day I will fly over this land and see that there is no drought and enough crops grow in the field for all people.”
Johanna Mitscherlich