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Barra Resorts Social Programmes
Barra Resorts, through its fortunate position as a major role player within the Inhambane economic and business community, has accepted its responsibility and obligations to both the local communities and the surrounding areas. It’s aim is not only to make a difference in the physical sense, which would directly affect people’s lives in a positive manner, but also by creating awareness and shifting an existing mindset.
Into the fabric that is our company policy is woven vital aspects, which we feel, is the essence of responsible business practice: the threads of community involvement and that of environmental integrity. In order for our business and the surrounding community to co-habitat in a harmonious and beneficial fashion, Barra Resorts gladly shoulders this mantle in our efforts toward community upliftment and empowerment by initiating and supporting various projects:
  
Escola Primaria de Nhamua (Nhamua Primary School)
Barra Resorts in conjunction with Lufthansa Cargo Services ( Africa division) have completed the construction of two new classrooms. The new classrooms built of brick and corrugated iron roofs have been fully furnished and a years supply of school materials including , text books, pens, papers, wall charts, microscopes, sports goods and educational games have been supplied. The class rooms where officially opened on 5th April 2006 by the honorable Mayor Lazaro Vicente of Inhambane city. A day of fun and education was had, members of Lufthansa cargo and there customers took part in the completion of the classrooms and painting of children’s faces, singing shows, balloon games and more. The day was finished off with lunch been supplied by Barra Lodge to all 350 learners and invited guests. Lufthansa has shown keen interest to continue supporting the school, by placing collection bins in all its offices throughout Africa. The directors, teachers and learners of the school would like to make a special thanks for there generous support
In September 2006 Group 4 Securicor company (an international security company with offices in Mozambique) visited Flamingo Bay. They continued to add additional support to Nhamua primary school. G4 donated a cheque of 100 000 mtn (+/- US$4000.00) to the school. A portion of the money has been spent to buy more class benches, the balance will be spent on construction of more classrooms and toilets. All the school children were also given a school bag containing stationery and a t shirt each. Whilst the company directors were in conference at Flamingo Bay there respective spouses spent the morning at the school painting classrooms, playing football with the children and cleaning the classrooms. They then handed out the gifts to the children and also supplied them with washing soap to take to there parents. There were an additional 220 bags and t-shirts left over which were donated to Manhanza Primary School a subsidiary of Conguiana School Barra Resorts would like make a big thank you to G4 for there support to the school.
Orphaned School Children
Barra Resorts has since 2001 been sponsoring all education costs for 23 orphaned children in the neighboring villages of Nhamua and Conguiana. We supply all of there educational materials needed and school fees. The children live with extended family members and adopted families in the community. Barra Resorts has offered to assist the children until they complete there secondary education.
Barra Doze (12) Band
Barra Resorts for the last four years has been hosting a local traditional band called Barra Doze (Barra twelve).The band led by Arlindo Beleque plays on Wednesdays and Saturdays evenings at the Barra Lodge Beach Bar. They play traditional songs with timbilas, drums, electric piano and guitars. The band consists of four adults and eight children who do traditional dances and invite guest to participate. The band has been shown on German, South African and Mozambican television and songs of there’s played daily on Radio Mozambique. Other than playing at Barra Lodge the band is regularly invited to play at various ceremonies, weddings and music shows. The band relies on donations which they use for education of the younger members and donate to various local schools.
Ngovene Bridge
In 2003, during the construction of Flamingo Bay Water Lodge, Barra Resorts constructed a 200 meter pedestrian bridge in the local village of Ngovene. The bridge was done in collaboration with the local community. The bridge crosses a tidal mangrove and swamp land shortening the distance to the local school and clinic for the community by over three kilometers. In the past many young children were unable to attend school due to the long distances needed to walk. It is now possible for people to get to the clinic all hours of the day in case of emergencies. The bridge was officially opened by his Excellency Inhambane Governor Aires Ally in November 2003.
Conguiana Clinic Water
Up to June 2004 the clinic had no running water. Barra Resorts then installed three water pumps in nearby wells , extended our pipelines to supply the clinic with a 24 hour supply of running water. The water system installed and maintained by Barra Resorts is the only running water system in Conguiana and there are plans to extend the system to another nearby school in the near future.
Barra Resorts in there continued support for the promotion of sports for the youth has supported various teams in different sports. We are proud sponsors of the local football team “a Luta Continua” and have supplied them with new sports equipment and assisted them with the construction of there stage used for music festivals which regularly held in the camp. We have also been part sponsors of the Inhambane schools provincial volley ball, football and basket ball teams. Barra Resorts recently hosted the 2005 youths inter-provincial sports weekend at Barra Lodge. Various sports including, football, beach volley ball, running, and horse riding were enjoyed.
 
Mashungo Clinic
In July 2006 Oundle School returned to build a new clinic near our Pomene Lodge for the village of Mashungo. The students raised in excess of ten thousand pounds for the project. They also installed a new agriculture water system for the local community to do semi-commercial farming. Construction of the clinic concluded with the students visit who actively participated in finishing off the school. The students also brought along a large quantity of medical equipment which was donated to the clinic.The school will be returning to Mozambique in 2008 to take up another project.We would like to make a special thanks to the students who raised all the money through fund raising projects also a thank you to teacher Andrew Martens who has brought both projects to fruition with a large amount of work and patience
Salela Hydroponics Farm
The project was set up with the help and support of Dave Law, owner of Barra Lodge, . He and his staff came up with the idea for the project and were responsible for persuading a community to provide the land, buying materials and organizing construction. Dave has a background in farming and had already established a successful pilot project to supply Barra Lodge with fresh produce. The tourist industry in the area is developing rapidly and has difficulty in finding reliable sources of good quality fresh vegetables. Soils in the area are poor (little more than beach sand), the rains can be unreliable and temperatures can be scorching in the summer. The hydroponics garden will provide abundant and reliable yields.The project was officially opened by the honorable Mayor Lazaro Vicente of Inhambane city in July 2004.
Barra Resorts continues to seek ways to uplift the local communities near its resorts as well for Inhambane province and Mozambique as a whole. Any persons, companies or organizations interested in involving themselves or sponsoring a project are more than welcome to contact us for advise, support and assistance.
Guests visiting any of our resorts may contact the manager who can give you information of ongoing and planned projects we are involved in. Guests are always welcome to bring along any school materials or basic medical materials which we can pass on to the local school or clinics
Staff Education and Training
Barra Resorts employs in excess of 300 people at its resorts, and is constantly involved it internal training courses related to work and social programs. The majority of the staff have never worked in the tourism industry before and all have attended internal training programs to give them the necessary skills. In July and August of 2006 Barra Resorts in conjunction with DED, a German N.G.O based in Mozambique put 50 staff members through an intensive training course covering various subjects related to tourism. The course was directed by prominent Swiss trainer Renate Bleeken.
Aids Awareness Programme
As a disease which is becoming more prominent in Mozambique , Barra has got together with a N.G.O Kulima Agency to put together a 12 month course related to Aids. The project will involve awareness training and prevention as well as assistance to those infected with HIV or affected by it. The voluntary course will be given to all staff members and there families
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