Uniting Six Rotary Clubs Under a Single Advocacy Coalition
During the World Malaria Day high-level commemorations between 25 - 27 April 2026, the Malaria Partners Mozambique (MPM) Project Committee achieved a historic milestone in volunteer coordination.
Under the joint field leadership of Rotarians Olga and Vicente, the committee successfully brought together six distinct clubs from District 9210: the Rotary Clubs of Tete Zambeze, Beira, Beira Chiveve, Beira Golf, Chimoio, and Chimoio Planalto. This marks the first time these provincial Rotary Clubs operated as a singular, synchronized advocacy front in central Mozambique. Over 25 Rotarians actively deployed to the field, managing dawn logistics, setting up institutional gazebos, and leading community mobilization side-by-side with health authorities.
What was learned and the outcome: The committee demonstrated that separate Rotary Clubs can be rapidly mobilised into a cohesive operational network when backed by structured logistical support.
The intervention proved that the newly developed committee structure is not just functional on paper, but highly efficient in executing multi-province field campaigns. By working directly with Pathfinder International and the Provincial Health Directorates (DPS), these Rotary Clubs established a highly visible, trusted presence within the communities of Missawa, Tica, and Macate under the direct guidance of Olga and Vicente
The Malaria Partners Mozambique (MPM) institutional stand set up within the project gazebo during the World Malaria Day commemorations. Official advocacy banners are prominently displayed to anchor community visibility, while behaviour change communication (BCC) pamphlets are prepared for direct distribution to the public.
Elevating Community Health Literacy Among Vulnerable Groups
During the sequential World Malaria Day multi-province campaigns, the Malaria Partners Mozambique (MPM) Project Committee heavily prioritized direct interaction with the community’s most vulnerable demographics, specifically young children, lactating mothers, and the elderly.
In the localities of Missawa, Tica, and Macate, these groups often face the highest risk of vector-borne diseases but have limited access to formal health education. The committee established highly visible institutional gazebos, using prominently displayed advocacy banners to create a welcoming, recognizable learning hub. From these stands, Rotarians directly engaged with lactating mothers, elderly community members, and families, translating complex vector-transmission concepts into accessible, practical knowledge.
What was learned and the outcome: The deployment of targeted IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) materials proved to be highly effective in bridging local health literacy gaps. By distributing informational pamphlets directly to mothers and elderly caregivers, the project successfully reinforced critical behaviors, such as the consistent and correct use of mosquito nets and the importance of seeking early healthcare at the first sign of symptoms.
The physical presence of the gazebo stands combined with tactile educational printouts created a trusted environment, empowering mothers and community elders to act as immediate lines of defense against malaria within their households. This grassroots response demonstrated that visible, localized advocacy materials are essential tools for driving tangible behavioral change in rural communities.
The Malaria Partners Mozambique (MPM) institutional gazebo stand deployed during the World Malaria Day sequential provincial campaigns. Prominently displayed advocacy banners create a visible learning hub where dedicated Rotarians from District 9210, including Olga, Vicente, and fellow club members, distribute educational IEC pamphlets directly to lactating mothers and community elders to reinforce correct mosquito net usage and elevate grassroots health literacy.
Are you a Rotarian in Mozambique? Want to get involved in this work?
Contact the Malaria Partners Mozambique team:
Manuela Matambo
Malaria Partners Mocambique Chair
Nela.bettencourt1@gmail.com