Mozambique may not be a country that shows up on everyone’s radar, but don’t let that stop you from going on a unique adventure all your own! Located in southern Africa, Mozambique offers many opportunities to learn Portuguese, explore sandy beaches, eat fresh tropical produce, and learn about the resiliency of the Mozambican people. Need even more reasons to volunteer in Mozambique? No worries—we got ‘em.
Liiiiike, these incredible views, of course.
Although international volunteers often overlook Mozambique, volunteering here can be a rewarding and unique experience you will be remembering for years to come. Keep reading for nine reasons why you should consider volunteering in Mozambique, and then you’ll be ready to make the leap on a new adventure!
9 convincing reasons to volunteer in Mozambique
1. Work on meaningful projects
The volunteer work that you do in Mozambique won’t just affect the surrounding area, but it will also affect other parts of the world. Working on marine conservation projects helps researchers and scientists find solutions to problems like coral bleaching and invasive species, and you will have a major role in these efforts.
If marine life isn’t so much your thing, teaching English opens a world of possibilities for students to work and study. Although the impacts are more personal, you will have the chance to build relationships and help students grow, making a lasting impact on their communities.
Projects to check out:
- African Impact: Marine Research and Conservation, Mozambique
- Kaya Responsible Travel: African Marine and Wildlife Volunteer Adventure Tour
2. Learn and practice Portuguese
Mozambique’s national language is Portuguese, so it’s a great place to learn and practice your language skills! Although the dialect is slightly different from Brazilian Portuguese, Mozambican Portuguese is slow and clear and you’ll start speaking in no time.
You will learn the language through your volunteer work in Mozambique by interacting with Mozambicans, buying food and clothes from the markets, and watching the ever-so-popular Brazilian novellas.
Get out there and explore what Mozambique has to offer!
By walking around the town you’re living in, you’ll get a unique taste of a global language that has a few local words thrown in. If you love languages, there are also many more to learn. Mozambique has more than 40 local languages, so you will be sure to pick up a few words in at least one of them.
3. Explore one of the best diving destinations
From manta rays to whale sharks, Mozambique has some of the best diving in the world. With a coastline of almost 1,500 miles, there is plenty of opportunity to explore no matter where you are.
One of the largest Marine Protection Areas in Africa is in the North, boasting the most robust and diverse coral community in Mozambique, and is an area free from coral bleaching.
Ponta do Ouro in the South offers a chance to witness humpback whales and their calves in August and September. The waters are always warm, so spend some time below the water and discover a new world.
Fresh mangos for breakfast? Yes please!
4. Learn about the Mozambican culture
Mozambican culture has had many influences throughout history, giving it a special feel. In your volunteer work in Mozambique, you will encounter people from different indigenous Bantu cultures, each with their own perspectives and customs.
The local dishes, languages, and beliefs will inspire you to visit more of the country. Even though there are many differences between cultures, you’ll also find many similarities between you and the people living in Mozambique.
Meeting so many different people in one place will broaden your mind and give you a glimpse into the rest of the country without having to travel far and wide to get there.
5. Try delicious tropical fruits
If you love tropical fruit, Mozambique is the place to be! Although some areas are dry and arid, many parts of the country are perfect for growing all types of fruits and vegetables, including some you have probably never heard of.
Prepare yourself for the sweetest pineapples, mangos the size of your head, avocados for days, litchis and ates, and at least five different types of bananas. Learn to cook matapa, a Mozambican dish with coconut milk, cassava leaves, and peanuts, and you will gain some extra strength from grating the coconut and grinding the peanuts by hand.
Be sure to check ahead for what is currently in season, and try not to give yourself a stomach ache from eating too much!
6. See if you can handle the spiciest Piri-Piri
You’ll find spicy piri-piri sauce at every Mozambican food stand and restaurant. What’s more, you will often find homemade versions of this spicy condiment. Why not test out your taste buds and see if it really is spicy?
And if it *is* too spicy, we can think of a fun way to cool off.
Each version is slightly different, so you might as well try them all while you’re at it. You can’t forget to try Piri-Piri Chicken, a delicious dish found at many street vendors. You might even learn how to make your own piri-piri so you can make it at home to remind yourself of Mozambique!
7. Buy or make some one-of-a-kind capulana clothing
Capulana is the type of bright, colorfully patterned fabric that is common all throughout Mozambique. You will see Mozambican women wrap it around their waists or their hair, or carry their babies with it, and men will have capulana shirts tailored.
Families or groups often have matching outfits made for them. You can find capulanas in every market and use it for any purpose—it truly is a versatile fabric! Pick some up for yourself, family, and friends, and then bring it to a tailor to make into clothing, or use it for any number of other infinite purposes, like curtains, a tablecloth, picnic blanket, beach wrap, and so much more!
Back at home, your wardrobe will truly be one-of-a-kind when you have some capulana thrown in.
8. Dance along to Mozambican beats
While volunteering, you’ll likely hear music coming from every shop or street corner because Mozambicans love music and dancing. If you are volunteering at a school, share some English-language music with the students and they will dance along.
Even if you don’t like to dance, it’s hard not to be entranced by the slow movements of kizomba or energized by the upbeat marrabenta. There are also regional traditional dances that change depending on where you are in the country, and dance performances during every national holiday.
You don’t have to know how to dance, just move your body and you will fit right in!
9. Have a unique volunteer experience
You’ll learn a lot about yourself and the world.
Mozambique is still a relatively young country, only gaining independence from the Portuguese in 1975. Although they have had a rough history, Mozambicans are resilient people who enjoy life.
Despite this, Mozambique is often overlooked by travelers and volunteers because of its past. Although there aren’t as many volunteer programs in Mozambique as there are in other countries around Africa and further afield, this means that you will have a truly unique experience to share.
You will have the chance to make your own discoveries rather than following a long list of places to go that others have compiled. What is stopping you from making the jump?
Get one step closer to Mozambique—get matched with 5 volunteer programs now!
Volunteer work in Mozambique is waiting for you!
Of course, these are not the only reasons why you should volunteer in Mozambique. Volunteering abroad can be a very rewarding and educational experience, and Mozambique offers many possibilities for you to explore and try new things.
From the national parks to the culture and food, you will learn about how Mozambicans embrace life and you will take away some lessons for yourself. You won’t have to limit yourself to the land, either, because there are many volunteer programs below the sea, too!
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