On its 19th anniversary, AIDGLOBAL reinforces its nearly two-decade-long commitment to improving access to books, promoting literacy, and ensuring quality education in Mozambique by launching the bilingual children's book collection “Livros para Começar”. This initiative aims to increase access to Mozambican children's literature written in one of the country's national languages, XiChangana. It fosters familiarity with written language, encourages a love for reading in children’s native tongue, and introduces them to Mozambique's official language from an early age. The collection seeks to contribute to the children´s personal and educational development, particularly those in the Gaza Province, Chibuto District.
The books in the collection explore themes that celebrate Mozambican cultural heritage and address educational topics, promoting essential skills and values such as citizenship, empathy, and solidarity. Created and produced by AIDGLOBAL as part of the project "Educadores em Movimento - Uma Educação Itinerante para a Primeira Infância - Fase 2" (Educators in Motion - An Itinerant Education for Early Childhood - Phase 2), the collection targets children in the Chibuto District.
The four titles in the collection were written and illustrated by talented Mozambican authors and artists, including Venâncio Calisto, Mélio Tinga, Marisa Bimbo da Costa, Samuel Djive, Rúben Zacarias, and Suzy Bila. The XiChangana translations were handled by Williamo Muchanga. These contributors joined the project, led by AIDGLOBAL, recognizing the importance of offering young readers stories that uphold essential values for citizenship.
Here are the titles currently available:
- A Borboleta Xica na Aldeia de Todas as Espécies – A story about unity and environmental preservation, where forest animals band together to protect the environment after Xica’s favorite tree is cut down. (Price: 10 smiles)
- O Artesão e os Macacos Malabaristas – – A delightful tale about tolerance and collaboration, where a craftsman learns lessons from playful monkeys who steal his hats. (Price: 10 smiles)
- O Cão, a Lebre e o Pássaro – A story about friendship, where the characters discover the value of companionship and true friendship. (Price: 10 smiles)
- A Aldeia dos Cajueiros Mágicos – The tale of a young girl who dreams of going to school and makes a wish to the magical cashew trees, highlighting the importance of education. (Price: 10 smiles)