The King of Kings School (Escola Rei Dos Reis) was established in Manga, a community on the outskirts of Beira, Mozambique’s second largest city. A preschool class commenced in 2001 and the primary school began in 2003. Secondary classes commenced in 2008 with the first Year 12 students graduating in 2013. Generous donations from international and Australian supporters have enabled the construction of permanent buildings.

The school has a total enrolment of 2000 students from Prep - Year 12. A modest tuition fee is charged to encourage school families to develop both a sense of ownership in the school and responsibility for their students’ education. Special financial consideration is given to orphans and those in financial need. School fees contribute to approximately 90% of the daily operational costs. Donations from global supporters assist in the provision of student scholarships, educational resources and facility development.

The Mission Educate Technical Institute began in 2018 offering Certificate III Courses in Agriculture and Civil Construction to 200 students through funding from JOBA/UKAid. There are now over 600 students annually across the Certificate III, IV and V courses. Our training uses a competency based model, ensuring trainees receive both theory training and experience in the practical application. A month of internships for all students is provided where they have the opportunity to gain real life work experience in a company in their field of study.

An exciting new development occurred towards the end of 2019. Plans were put in place for the first accredited workplace based apprenticeship in Mozambique. We have now commenced the pilot phase of this training in partnership with J&J Transport, providing a heavy vehicle mechanics qualification to a small cohort of apprentices. Funding from JOBA/UKAid for the first year of the program has been secured and we are working on establishing partnerships to ensure this program can continue beyond the first year.

Literacy for Life has 3 components:

• 1. Reading and Writing skills
• 2. Business and Mathematics skills
• 3. Life skills

A combination of Portugese and local languages are incorporated into the program. This ensures students can receive socio-economic benefits from understanding the national language, as well as maintain a connection to the national culture through the use of their mother tongue.

At the end of each module, participants have the opportunity to learn a practical skill. These skills help to improve the abilities of the participants, their families and their entire community.

At the end of the first module participants are provided with a Bible. We are extremely thankful for our partnership with Bible Society Australia, enabling us to develop the Literacy for Life Project.

Mission Educate has more than 18 Literacy for Life groups across the districts of both Sofala and Inhambane provinces in Mozambique, providing literacy and life skills to more than 500 people.

This project is a part of our strategy to move Mission Educate Mozambique towards organisational sustainability by establishing profitable social enterprises. The partnership with Entrust Foundation enabled us to purchase two embroidery machines, other equipment and resources to establish the enterprise.

Schools and community members are particularly interested in our services because of the quality we provide. We are also developing a niche in the market by providing a package for people to purchase a school uniform with an embroidered logo. We are one of the few enterprises providing both services.

Plans are in place to scale up the enterprise and begin training local community members in sewing skills. This will provide them with the opportunity to establish their own micro-enterprise.