Student Stories from Cyclone Jokwe
8th grade students from the Secondary School of Angoche
Angoche, Nampula
Mozambique
Turma (Class) A
Cássimo Matola:
“The cyclone started on Friday with strong winds until Saturday, when houses began to be destroyed. Sunday our house fell down and the house of my grandparents fell as well. Also, the house of my uncle fell. My brother broke his leg but we did not have enough money to go to the hospital in Nampula City. On my street 117 houses fell because of the cyclone.
Rabia Januario:
“Here in Angoche many things were destroyed. Many people lost homes, roofs, clothes, food, farms, money. I am sad that I lost my house, my notebooks, my bag, my clothes and my shoes. Angoche is very sick and there is much hunger.”
Carlos Isabell Carlos:
“I write these words for my professor who wants to know what happened to my house. When the cyclone started my house fell. I lost my shoes, my pants, three shirts and everything. My notebook for English class was destroyed. I ask for help because I have no father. Excuse me professor, I ask for you to help me.”
Amina Atumane Ali:
“The house of my grandmother fell because of the cyclone. My notebooks were destroyed. My house was destroyed. I have no clothes and nothing left. My family has nothing to eat and no where to sleep.”
Edelson Mega:
“In Angoche many terrible things happened. Many houses were destroyed, like my neighbor’s house. My yard was destroyed, my roof was destroyed, two sacks of rice were destroyed that were in my house. The wind took all of my clothes.”
Ancha Age Alfredo:
“The cyclone destroyed my mom’s house where we live. We suffered a lot. I do not have a notebook, a pen. My family has nothing, we have no money. My sister died during the cyclone. She was tending to the house and something happened, she died.”
Faria Ossufo:
“Here in Angoche passed a cyclone. My house was destroyed. Many other homes were destroyed.”
Muapela De Atumane:
“The cyclone started in Angoche the 7th of March. Homes were destroyed. Schools were also destroyed. The hospital was destroyed. Many mosques were destroyed. My house fell, my yard was destroyed. My clothes, notebooks and pens were destroyed.”
Fátima Cândido:
“In my community the cyclone destroyed many things: houses, schools, palm trees, acacia trees, mango trees, cashew trees. My house was destroyed, so was my yard, my bathroom, my latrine, the walls of my room. The cyclone destroyed my grandmother’s house, my friends’ homes. We have suffered. I hope someone will help.”
Abubacar Ali Ussene:
“Here in Angoche many houses fell, roofs were blown away and schools were destroyed. The cyclone destroyed my father’s house, his yard and his bathroom.”
Razak Paulino:
“The Cyclone happened in Angoche March 7th, 2008. The cyclone destroyed many houses ad trees. This is bad in Angoche because we still have no power and our roads were destroyed. My house was destroyed. Everything was lost because of the cyclone.”
Temotio Moiano:
“The cyclone destroyed houses, power, trees. It destroyed our student house, the roof flew off. I did not sleep the night the cyclone came. We hope the government will come to help. That is all, teacher.”
Atija Epriano Bolacha:
“Here in Angoche many houses moved. The houses and the roofs flew through the air. The trees fell. A side of my house fell on two people. Nothing was left.”
Celso Celestino Augusto:
“When the cyclone came I could hear the roof of my neighbor’s house fly into my home and destroy it. The shed behind my home is full of water and mud. The cyclone left blood all over Angoche.”
Mariamo Ossufo Muquissima:
“Part of the house where I live in with my family fell. A part of my house flew off. My clothing, notebooks and food were destroyed.”
Abudo Solemane:
“The cyclone brought waves from the sea and destroyed my house.”
Muatalaca Carlos Ussene:
“Many students had to stop studying because of the cyclone. My house lost many things. We lost pans, clothes, notebooks and our chickens.”
Cândido Jaisse Cândido:
“The cyclone passed through Angoche because we are close to the ocean. Everything was destroyed because of the water from the ocean, the rain and wind. Everything that is left of my house if filled with water. I have no notebooks or clothes.”
Teresa Rodrigues Abdala:
“The cyclone caused a lot of damage. It destroyed plants, killed animals and people and destroyed homes, roads and yards.”
Grácia José Momade:
“The cyclone took many homes and killed many people.”
Filipe José Alberto Fiqueira:
“My mother’s house fell. Our palm trees fell and when we went out side we saw nothing. Many people were robbed. We have been without electricity for three days. My room did not have a roof so all of my clothes and notebooks were destroyed.”
Melca Guilhermi:
“My mother’s house was destroyed and so was everything inside it.”
Winha Manuel Ali:
“My father’s home was destroyed. We are living in the house of our neighbor.”
Saravia Ossufo Abdul Mutinia:
“My family lost everything in the cyclone. We do not know how to make things better. My family does not have food. Maybe the government will help. We must make things better here in Angoche quickly.”
Rastina Américo:
“The cyclone destroyed everything. I am very sad.”
Abubacar Assane Ginto:
“My house, my notebooks and my clothes were destroyed. The cyclone and wind destroyed yards, windows, doors, clothes, notebooks and student house. Good bye Teacher Alex.”
Luisa Luis Assuate:
“In my neighborhood of Mussorir a child died who was going to the market because a palm tree fell on him and smashed him. He went to the hospital in Angoche and died there.”
Paulo Momade Amade:
“My house was destroyed by the cyclone. Many people suffered here in Angoche, many people died. Many are lost.”
Asla de Mila Sacur:
“When the cyclone passed through Angoche my house fell. My family does not have money. My sister is in the hospital because of the cyclone. My clothes are destroyed.”
Celestina Américo:
“My house fell and I have nothing left. Water came in everywhere and destroyed everything. I lost clothes, notebooks, sandals, money and the whole house. My aunt’s son is very sick. Thank you teacher, we are lucky that you came to our country.”
Ancha Assane:
“Our city was destroyed by the cyclone.”
Massurufo Ossufo:
“My house was destroyed by the cyclone. My notebooks were destroyed and so were my clothes. We still have nothing to eat. I don’t know what we are going to do. Many people are crying. We have had a disaster in Angoche. We need help.”
Francelina Franciso:
“In my family the cyclone destroyed my parents’ home. My parents are poor and they have no money to buy food.”
Rito Atumane Netela:
“In Angoche we had a cyclone. This cyclone destroyed houses and trees in the community. In the community a woman and child died because of the cyclone.”
Amisse Valentin:
“When I saw the cyclone start to come I started to cry. All the people here suffered. My brother’s house fell. I have good luck because I am still speaking. I thank god. I cannot say how many coconut trees fell, but there were many. Teacher I am not joking when I say the ocean filled our neighborhood. We have not had energy in Angoche for a very long time. My house was destroyed. Thank you very much, teacher of the English language. Good luck to you.”
Amade Amade Momade:
“The calamities of the cyclone began the 8th of March here in our district of Angoche. This cyclone destroyed many houses, including the house of my father. In one day our house disappeared.”
Abdala Amido:
“I am very sad when I think about the cyclone. It destroyed many houses, trees and yards. It destroyed my home and all the water we had. My neighbor died because of the cyclone. My notebooks and clothes are destroyed. The food that was in my house was destroyed by salt water. We are suffering.”
Turma (Class) B
Háfussa Omar Braimo:
“In my zone in Angoche the cyclone destroyed my house, my yard, my wall, my window, my roof, my house, my notebook, my latrine. Now I have no where to live and no food to eat.”
Turma (Class) D
Esmail Carralho António:
“My house was destroyed. My notebooks were soaked and ruined. Our coconut tree fell. My clothes were also destroyed. I lost my money. I have no where to sleep. Thank you for listening to my worries. Angoche needs help.”
Ali Raste:
“The cyclone destroyed many things here in Angoche. It destroyed houses, trees, windows, doors, plates, spoons, yards, walls, electricity, school materials, clothes, coconut trees, boats, candles, lighting, schools, farms, beds, chairs and people died. The house where I live was destroyed by the cyclone. We still have not built another house and we are living in whatever way we can.”
Anicila Fonsecaro:
“The cyclone started Saturday and continued through Sunday with rain, wind and flooding. The wind destroyed houses, bridges, plants, our clothing, our food. It killed people, chickens, goats and ducks. My house was destroyed.”
Charoma Abdala:
“What was destroyed in Tamole [one of the islands around Angoche] is: all of the area is full of water and fallen coconut trees. There are very few coconut trees that did not fall. All of the houses fell because of the sea water. Not one home remains. My notebooks were destroyed by sea water. In Tamole everyone lost everything. I have only notebooks that I can use, one shirt and one pair of pants. We suffered very much that day. Also, those who had money lost it. My dad lost 500 meticais. I am asking for help that you can give me notebooks so I can study and learn. Teacher, you should come see Tamole. I will go with you and show you all of the destruction.”
Momade Chale:
“In Angoche the cyclone destroyed homes, trees fell. The wind destroyed yards, notebooks and our energy. The primary school of Inguirri, Farlahi primary school, Parapato primary school and the Inguirri hospital were all destroyed.”
Anli Ossufo:
“The cyclone destroyed everything in Angoche. We are left sad and disgraced.”
Gessimane Benedito do Santos:
“Here in Angoche we had a terrible cyclone. We have no water, no energy and much rain. The people that live close to the sea all have destroyed homes because of the ocean waves. There was a child that died when a coconut tree fell and crushed him.”
Domingos Carlitos Rafael:
“I have more things to tell about the cyclone that happened in this town. But I don’t know how I can start talking about this damage. The rain and the wind started on the 7th of this month. At first we thought nothing would happen. The next day we had serious wind followed by dangerous rain. My house was destroyed. The next night the wind was the strongest and more coconut trees, mango trees and houses were totally destroyed. I only lost my house, thanks be to god. The cyclone stopped the third day. 42,000 houses were destroyed.”
Sitoli Armando Marçalo:
“I am thankful god stopped the cyclone before everyone died.”
Ilda Amade:
“The cyclone destroyed many things, including coconut trees and other trees. In my zone there was a child that died because of the cyclone. My notebooks were destroyed by the cyclone. The children here are suffering very much. So many houses and trees have fallen over. People need so much help, but there is no one to help us.”
Luis Domingos:
“My house was destroyed. My door was destroyed. My notebooks were destroyed. My bag was destroyed. My yard was destroyed. I am lucky that I am still living.”
Iussufo Amade:
“The cyclone destroyed many things. Houses fell, coconut trees fell, boats have disappeared into the sea, bridges are destroyed, chickens have escaped. There is death. In my neighborhood we have been without electricity for two weeks.”
Lelinha Alberto:
“My house was destroyed by the cyclone because a coconut tree fell on it. My niece was killed during the cyclone.”
Amisse José Waca:
“In my zone many things were destroyed. My house was destroyed. There was a child alone inside a house when it fell. He died.”
Loite Celestin Omar:
“Here in Angoche we had a very bad cyclone. There is now a lack of energy and water. There was a lot of rain. The people who live close to the sea lost everything. I know a child who died it when it was crushed by a coconut tree.”
Juliete Jacinta Charia:
“Angoche will not recover after the cyclone because we are very poor.”
Ali A. J. Cheque:
“My house was destroyed as so was my yard. A power line fell on my house. My notebooks are ruined. This moment I am sick. Many in my neighborhood are sick and dying. Thank you for the question and homework, teacher. Welcome back to Angoche my teacher.”
Sualé Iahaila Ussene:
“Every citizen of Angoche suffers. We need help. We deserve a change at getting our lives back.”
Hélder José Carlos:
“No one in Angoche has money to buy food or fix their houses after the cyclone came. All are starving.”
Aboul Assane:
“My family went three days without food after the cyclone. We are very poor and have no where to sleep. I am not sure when we will have food again, our farms were destroyed.”
Turma (Class) E
Muazena Faque Jamal:
“I lost my notebook, my house and all of my clothes. I do not have a school uniform. I do not have food to eat. My family is dying of hunger. Many are suffering. Many are starving.”
Chomar António Braimo:
“The cyclone has destroyed our city and caused starvation. The cyclone destroyed 1,889 houses, 3 factories and many farms. Many people suffered and many died. Also, we have stores, mosques, churches, bars, banks, stores that were all damaged by the cyclone. The salt water and the wind did great damage. No one is helping Angoche yet.”
Rogério Henriques:
“The cyclone destroyed our tin roof, our clothes, our food and our windows in the student house.”
Juma Nacupa:
“I want to write about the cyclone that hit Angoche, about the dangerous wind that came to visit our district Friday afternoon. The wind began to blow from the South and made everybody very worry. It was possible to see the wave gaining power to throw boats into houses, to see the trees falling over the houses. Many houses were destroyed by strong wind and powerful waves. The people lost many things, some people died. Also, Malaria and Cholera are spreading. The situation is very horrible. The prices are very high everywhere and the hunger is a big problem. The schools are destroyed. Boats, mosques, churches, factories and companies were destroyed. Now every time the situation is worsening. The rain and flood destroyed our farms, therefore people are suffering.”
Rosário Ossufo:
“No we live outside because we have no place to go. We cannot afford to build another home. All of my notebooks were destroyed by the cyclone. The cyclone brought great poverty to my family.”
Abubacar Omar Licui:
“We lost everything. The fishermen have no nets and no boats.”
Omar Assane Junior:
“The cyclone left nothing in Angoche. It ruined houses, factories, mosques, buildings, the hospital. It is very sad here without help.”
Mussage Celestino:
“Many houses fell and the schools were destroyed. The school house was destroyed by the wind and floods from the sea. The oldest people in Angoche said they have never seen a cyclone as strong as this one. This cyclone destroyed all of Angoche. We have not had energy for the past eight days because the power lines are down. My family is very sad because we do not have money to rebuild our house. I will end this message asking this information to be shared to all.”
Alima Momade:
“My family is very worried because during the cyclone we lost everything. It destroyed our house, our clothes. We do not have water. We are asking for help.”
Cecilia Filipe Raivano:
“Because of the cyclone many houses were destroyed. Our clothes were destroyed, our windows were destroyed. My notebooks were destroyed.”
Erneto Jacinto:
“We had four goats. Two of them ran away and the other two died. The roof flew off our house. Water filled my house. I started to cry. My little brother started to cry. My clothes and notebooks are destroyed. My house is almost gone.”
Ancha Ussene:
“We lost everything. I have no house. I hope god will help us.”
Suzana Gabriel:
“The cyclone is very hard for me to talk about because my family lost everything. My house fell, I lost my clothes and notebooks. Someone from my family was hit in the head with a coconut and went to the hospital. Our farm was destroyed. We live without food. This is what happened with the cyclone in Angoche.”
Ali Muquissirima Ussene:
“In Agoche we had a cyclone. My family suffered very much. My house fell. The door fell. I coconut tree fell on our kitchen. I lost my notebook, my school uniform and someone died in my house. We are living outside. The rain won’t stop.”
Mildon Abudo:
“The wind destroyed everything, my house and my roof. Now we are living with nothing. We have no food and no water.”
Dauda Omar Joma:
“The cyclone was given by god and it destroyed many things. It destroyed my house, my notebooks, my clothes. Now it is hard to live.”
Ussene Joaquim Cohula:
“All of us that live in the district of Angoche are very bad off. Also, the cyclone has increased the poverty of the town. Many people are sick and dying. People must live with their neighbors. Schools and factories were destroyed.”
Mussa Jamal:
“The cyclone destroyed our homes. The cyclone destroyed our energy. The cyclone destroyed our trees. The cyclone destroyed our schools. We are suffering because of the cyclone. The cyclone destroyed our main street so no one can leave to go to Nampula to bring food and water to Angoche.”
Valter Artur:
“I lost my clothes and my school materials. I am poor and disgraced. I am asking for help, Senhora Professora Alex Kruzel.”
Augusto Miguel:
“My house was destroyed by the cyclone. It destroyed my clothes, pens, notebooks. My bicycle was destroyed and my nephew is sick.”
Braimo Momade:
“A cyclone came through Angoche. My mom’s house and my aunt’s house fell. The wind was very strong. We live close to the sea and our homes our filled with salt water. I am sixteen years old and I study. My notebooks and clothes were destroyed.”
Amina Assane:
“My family has suffered greatly. My mother is sick in the hospital.”
Ali Mámane Nalamalele:
“When the cyclone came it destroyed windows, doors and my house. I was unhappy. My house was destroyed. My clothes were destroyed. My cassava was destroyed. School was destroyed. The energy posts fell by the cyclone. The roof of the student house was destroyed. We have no water. We had a small farm and some animals, but they were destroyed. In the rainy season we planted maize, beans, peanuts and cucumbers. Nothing was left. My family has nothing. Thank you. Bye teacher.”
Manito José Adelino:
“In my house and my family’s house the cyclone happened. My uncle died yesterday. Yesterday I arrived to school because this thing and the cyclone were very strong. My house was destroyed, for example. Many things in the house were destroyed. All my life has gone. I am mad at that cyclone. I look for a secure place. I am never going to forget the cyclone because it is the first cyclone that happened when I was alive.”
