Mozambique: Filomena’s journey to overcome poverty

Filomena Lamu standing in front of her old home in the Homoine district. CARE/Mauro Vombe

 The devastating effects of the El Niño-induced drought in Mozambique have hit women and girls the hardest. As the worst drought in 35 years ravages, it has led to severe food shortages, forced changes in daily routines, and exacerbated existing vulnerabilities. Women, particularly those in rural areas, have borne the brunt of these challenges, with many struggling to provide for their families. In a small village in the Homoine district of Inhambane Province, 67-year-old Filomena Lamu faced the daunting task of caring for her two young grandchildren alone. Her daughter, who had left for the capital, Maputo, in search of work, had left the children in Filomena’s care.  

 

Filomena’s days were long and exhausting, spent tending to her cassava crops and collecting firewood, which she sold in small bundles to make ends meet. “As a grandmother and primary caregiver, I struggled to meet the basic needs of my grandchildren,” Filomena recalls. “My cassava fields were yielding less, and selling firewood didn’t bring in enough money. I could only provide a thatched shelter for my family, and every day was a battle to put food on the table.” 

 

Filomena Lamu's old home in the Homoine district. CARE/Mauro Vombe

As the severe El-Niño drought set in, life became even harder. The once-reliable cassava fields began to dry up, and the hours spent gathering firewood left her weary. Her small income was barely enough to provide food for the children. 

 

Everything changed when Filomena attended a community meeting, where representatives from CARE Mozambique and local leaders had gathered the community members to discuss a new opportunity—cashew production. Filomena listened intently as they explained how the cashew trees, which dotted her small plot of land, could become a source of food and income. Intrigued, she decided to give it a try. “I had non-producing cashew trees on my land, and I didn’t know they could be used to generate income,” she says. “My first thought was to see if cashew production could give my grandchildren some extra food or provide me a bit of money when cassava wasn’t available.” 

 

Around the same time, Filomena joined a Village Savings and Loan group. The group, composed mostly of women, pooled their small savings and provided loans to members in need. Through it, Filomena was able to invest in making her cashew trees productive. “My trees produced about 25 kilograms of raw nuts, and I was able to sell them for a small amount—$10 per productive season,” Filomena remembers. “It wasn’t much, but it was more than I had before. It gave me hope.” 

 

Filomena’s neighbours, who had also embraced cashew production, suggested they work together. Together, they began processing the nuts before selling them, significantly increasing their earnings. For the first time in years, Filomena felt a sense of hope. The extra income allowed her to build a new home—a sturdy brick house with a corrugated iron roof. The roof was more than just shelter; it was a tool for survival. “We used to spend hours collecting water, but now, with the rainwater I collect [from the roof], we have enough for the family. This roof has changed our lives.” 

 

As her cashew business grew, so did Filomena’s confidence. “I stopped selling firewood, which has kept my grandchildren in school,” Filomena says. “Every two weeks, I deposit $2.70 into our savings group. It’s not much, but it’s a safety net. If hard times come again, I’ll have something to fall back on.” 

 

In a society where men traditionally controlled land and assets, Filomena now had her own source of income. “Cashew production has empowered me,” she says. “I have control over my income, and I can decide how to use it. This has given me a sense of independence I never had before.” 

 

Filomena`s new home which has an expanded rainwater harvest system. She was able to build this 

house with money she earned from cashew farming. CARE/Mauro Vombe

Filomena’s story is one of endurance and triumph in the face of adversity. In a region ravaged by the El Niño drought, she found a way to not only survive but to build a better life for herself and her family. Her journey from struggling widow to empowered grandmother is a testament to the strength and determination of the women of Mozambique, who, even in the harshest conditions, continue to forge paths to brighter futures.