On June 11, a handover ceremony was held for the sixth group of 171 households at Kura Great Love Village. Residents also received essential items from Tzu Chi volunteers, including solar panels, lights, and power banks. Volunteer Dr. Dino Foi (left) respectfully presents the supplies to a resident, who receives them with great joy. | Photo: Ezra Millise | Mozambique | 2025/06/11

For the 171 families of Kura village in Mozambique, June 11, 2025, marked the beginning of a new chapter. Six years after the catastrophic Cyclone Idai swept away their homes and livelihoods, they gathered not as survivors of a disaster, but as the proud builders of their new community. The handover ceremony for the Kura Tzu Chi Great Love Village was a culmination of years of hard work, resilience, and a promise fulfilled.

"The Great Love Village is not just about rebuilding a community; it is a symbol of Nhamatanda's progress towards development," remarked the Governor of Sofala Province, who attended the ceremony. He expressed his gratitude for the journey from a simple promise to a tangible reality, a dream many thought impossible: a secure home with solid walls, electricity, and light.

Building Homes, Building Confidence

The devastation left by Cyclone Idai in March 2019 was immense, leaving tens of thousands in Sofala Province without shelter. In the aftermath, Tzu Chi committed to a long-term recovery plan that included the construction of four Great Love Villages, totaling 3,128 homes, and 23 schools across the region. The 171 homes in Kura are a significant part of this effort.

The approach to rebuilding went beyond simply providing houses. Through a work-for-relief program, residents were invited to take an active role in the construction. Guided by professional volunteers, they learned valuable building skills, from laying bricks to finishing walls. This initiative not only ensured the homes were built with care but also empowered the residents, giving them new skills and a renewed sense of ownership and confidence in their future.

During the construction of the Great Love Village, a work-for-relief program was implemented. Professional volunteers taught residents construction techniques, enabling them to participate in building their own homes and fostering confidence for the future. | Photo: Emmy Chen (陳宜青) | Mozambique

Nurturing a Community's Growth

The support for the Kura community extends beyond physical structures. Recognizing that true recovery involves nurturing the entire community, educational programs were established to help break the cycle of poverty. After-school tutoring classes were set up to provide children with the academic support needed to succeed, while adult literacy classes have opened new doors for parents and elders. Through literacy and learning, residents now have more choices and opportunities than ever before.

As families received the keys to their new homes, the village was filled with a sense of hope and accomplishment. The journey over the past six years has transformed a piece of land, once scarred by disaster, into a vibrant community poised for a brighter tomorrow. It stands as a testament to what can be achieved when people work together to rebuild not just houses, but lives.

After a six-year journey from promise to fulfillment, the new homes stand as a testament to a dream once thought unimaginable for the local residents — a home with walls, electricity, and light. | Photo: Tzu Chi Foundation | Mozambique

Written by Yu-Chen Pan (潘俞臻)

Source: 慈濟以工代賑災民参與 庫拉大愛村171户入厝