Ocean Guardians, MMF’s education program in Mozambique, has opened in Vilanculos. More than seven in ten families in Mahaque live from the sea. At the community’s school, Escola de Mahaque, 149 children are now learning about the ocean, and swimming lessons have begun.
An Ocean Guardians swimming lesson in Mozambique.
A sixth site on the coast
Ocean Guardians (Nemos Pequenos) teaches children about the ocean and how to protect it, alongside swimming and water safety. Vilanculos now joins Tofo, Barra, Rocha, Morrungulo, and Bazaruto Island as the program’s sixth site.
The program reached Vilanculos in stages. Funding arrived at the end of May 2026. Between June and August, the team received approval from the District Education Services, set up an office, and gathered equipment. They also arranged a partnership with the school and a pool for swimming lessons. The first lesson was taught in September.
Who is in class
The children at Escola de Mahaque are 11 to 13 years old, the age when many start going out to fish with their families. Two Grade 6 classes, 109 children in all, are taking the ocean lessons. That is 39% of the school’s Grade 6 students. Another 40 children take part in the program’s Saturday activities, bringing the total to 149.
Swimming lessons have begun as well. By the team’s September count, 95 children are learning to swim and stay safe in the water. That matters here: police recorded 12 drownings in Vilanculos in 2026 up to September, and the true number is likely higher.
The program provides a snack on every activity day, and the school reports that attendance has risen since lessons began.
Led from within the community
The Vilanculos site is led by Simone José Cumbe, who came through Ocean Guardians as a schoolchild in Tofo. He was taken on as a trainee and worked his way up over eight years to Master Swimming Instructor. He has now moved north to lead the new site.
He is joined by Érica Gulele, recruited locally as Junior Education Officer. Érica is a qualified primary teacher and speaks Portuguese, English, and Xitshwa. The program is overseen by MMF Education Program Manager Azevedo Chitsumba.
Thank you to Go2Africa for supporting the launch of Ocean Guardians in Vilanculos.
To learn more, visit our Ocean Guardians page and our work in Mozambique, or make a donation to support programs like Ocean Guardians.