Your Contacts (Volunteering Mozambique, Africa)

Kululeku is the word for ‘liberty’ in Xitswa, a Bantu language, which is spoken primarily in Vilanculos. Through many, many trips to African countries, not only Mozambique, I have got to know the country and the people. Not as a typical tourist who stays in hotels, but through time spent with locals whereby longstanding friendships were made. One morning, as I drove on the bus from Tofo to Vilanculos, I saw a group of elementary schoolchildren playing on the street, waving at the white tourists and running behind the dusty, deranged bus. They were happy, laughed, and jumping around. It seemed as if nothing was wrong to them. Only the thin sleeves, ragged and filthy clothing and the yellow eyes showed that these children had no perspective. They would sit on this street for the next 40 years. Why were these children not in school? What is the future of those who are already spending days on dusty roads and selling mangoes and self-made accessories at the age of 5? At this point I wondered how to bring more education to the country.
Everything begins with education. Without education there is no functioning economy, without the economy there is no prosperity. Prosperity covers basic human needs, stimulates the economy, imports and exports, and strengthens the currency. As prosperity rises, medical costs, illness and mortality rates decrease. People get a perspective: the perspective that everyone is born with the same rights. Over the years I have learned that help starts small.

A warm blanket in the winter for a homeless man lounging on the park bench, or a banana given to a hungry child in a small village in Costa Rica. Every little gesture helps. So why should I not start a project that gives people the opportunity to help where they are truly needed? Together with Jeff and Vado from Vilanculos and 2 other friends from Munich the project Kululeku was founded. About 20 volunteers each month and 10 employees in Mozambique and Munich do an absolutely great job in Vilanculos and Tofo – we are so thankful for this!

The volunteers of Kululeku are working on sustainable development projects, which are intended to make a lasting difference by improving the infrastructure, developing the educational facilities, implementing fresh water systems and protecting endangered wild animals. We work closely with our host communities to make these changes sustainable.

Kululeku believes that sustainable community development is achieved from the bottom up. We therefore involve local members in our development projects to promote economic growth and sustainability through the Asset-Based Community Development Model, which is widely regarded as good practice for sustainable development.

Kululeku team leaders work with the locals on our community development projects and create real relationships in our host communities. We have been warmly welcomed in Vilanculos, as we focus on partnership. We encourage our volunteers to think about life in developing countries and their own lives during their time in Mozambique. Our aim is ultimately to take advantage of your commitment and become a sustainable development aid worker when you return home.

Volunteers are constantly immersed in meaningful projects and interactions with our host communities and experience unforgettable adventures. This leads to the development of lifelong memories and friendships, both with volunteers and local community members. Our program inspires participants to act in the sense of developing countries.