community: 23 Aug 2024
The Sanctuary, in partnership with Fundação Likhulu, is supporting the Resilient Coastal Communities Program in the development of diversified livelihoods to reduce pressure on the exploitation of marine resources in the community of Chingonguene.
The objective of the project is to reduce the community’s dependence on fishing as their main means of subsistence and develop community resilience to climate change.
The first phase of the project, which began in June, saw five women selected to be upskilled and taught to manufacture handmade plushie dugongs made from wool felt and 100% organic cotton grown in Gorongosa, Mozambique. At the moment the focus is on dugong production, but over time whales and sharks will be included.
The ultimate goal of the project, which is still in its pilot phase, is to empower 20 women from the community who will be capacitated to continue this activity independently.
The video below, featuring Karen Allen, co-founder of Fundação Likhulu and the champion of this project, provides further details and insights into this heartwarming project.