Megans life in Mozambique

New Address and happy holidays

megmoe — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 09:23:04 +0000

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to post my new Address now that I am at site.. If letters or packages have already beeen sent to Maputo that is ok, I will get them once the peace corps gets them. But my new address for the next 2 years is

Megan Moriarty

C.P. 270

Xai-Xai, Mozambique

I will be trying to get pictures up over the holidays.. Things hear are good, I have moved into my new house. The small community that I am living in is so beautiful so many trees and all covered with sand so there isnt much mud. In my yard I have so many fruit trees.. I have a mango, orange, and pineapple trees.. I have a two room little home, which has a really cute porch on it then I can bring a chair out on to read. I have electricity but no running water but there is a water spicket close by in my neighbors yard. In Mozambique it is really important one a new person arrives into a community to be formally introduced to all the different important sectors, so this week I was introduced to the President of the town, the police, the administrative office, and the rural hospital. My organization is great, they just recently got funding and so now we have an office space that we will be putting together in the new year. I am working with 20 amazing activista woman who are implementing such awesome projects in the community. I got to accompany one of the activistas on her home visits yesterday checking up on people who we serve who live with HIV. I am looking forward to working in a small community based project.. I need to continue my studying of Portuguese as well as must start learning Chengan which is the local dilect which most people speak. My thoughts are with everyone during the holiday season! Dont get to stressed about all the Christmas shopping, cooking etc that has to be done, remember to enjoy the loved ones that you have around ya! I will miss everyone on Xmas Eve, but I have plans to visit a volunteer up north a few hours who lives right on the water! So I wlil be heading to the beach! yay! A group of us are all getting together for the holiday! I swear I will get pictures up soon, I am not sure where my flas drive is but I am looking for it! Hope all is well! Tchau

Information for keeping in touch!

megmoe — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 19:12:43 +0000

My address from Sept 25- December 10th:

Megan Moriarty,PCT
Peace Corps
C.P. 4398
Maputo, Mozambique

I would love if people wrote to me!!!

My email is: Megan.Moriarty@yahoo.com
And I will be getting a cell phone in Mozambique it will be expensive to call you back to the US but with a phone card calling my cell phone should not be awful, I will post more information about my number and where you can get a mozambique calling card.

Hello Everyone!

megmoe — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 17:13:24 +0000

Hey everyone,
So I just found out about my Peace Corps assignment. It seems like just a little while ago that I was starting at CU-Boulder…and now it is the next big phase of my life.. I am really excited and I now that serving as a Peace Corps volunteer will be an amazing experience.
Some Background Information about what I will be doing in Mozambique that I wanted to share with everyone:
* I will be working as a community Development Promoter within the Health and HIV/AIDS Capacity Building Project, which means that I will be assisting non-governmental, or community based organizations in the region. I do not know all the details of where I will be or what I will be doing because I have to first complete a 10-week training Program.
* From Sept 25- December 10: I will be participating in an intensive training program trying to learn Portuguese and an African Dialect as well as try to become accustomed to the culture. I will also be preparing for my volunteer assignment. I will be living with a host family in a rural setting outside of the capital Maputo.
Some Background information about the country of Mozambique:
*Portuguese is the official language. The major ethnic groups each have their own languages: Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and numerous others.
*Mozambique achieved independence from Portugal on January
25,1975. But between 1977 and 1992 up to a million Mozambicans died from fighting and famine in a civil war that ruined the economy and much of the countryside. However Mozambique is known for its ability to move from the civil war period to a peaceful democracy.
* Poverty and Health: Mozambique along with many other African nations are still battling issues of poverty and disease. Poverty remains widespread, with more than 50% of Mozambicans living on less than $1 a day. There are only about 500 Mozambican medical doctors that serve over 19 million people. HIV prevalence is increasing like many of its bordering nations.
* Geography: Mozambique is on the Indian Ocean and is about double the size of California. Its bordering neighbors are South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Tanzania.
* Mozambique has some of the most beautiful un-touched beaches in the world! Some of the best shell collecting and scuba diving can be done here! As well as some of the coolest most natural animal reserves ranging of a plethora of national parks! So if anyone is traveling, they should come visit!