Where is Kapasseni Village?

Mozambique, in southern Africa, is one of the world's poorest countries. The population is about 20 million and life expectancy is estimated at 37. In rural areas illiteracy is widespread and there is little basic health care. The country is still rebuilding after a brutal 16 year civil war which left two million landmines. Economic growth has been strong in recent years.

Kapasseni is in the Sena township of Caia district in Sofala province, near the Zambezi River and the borders with Zimbabwe and Malawi. About 9,000 people live in family compounds scattered over many square kilometres. The official language is Portuguese, but the people of the village speak Sena, a local language. In the past this was a rich cotton and peanut growing area. The village is prone to drought and heavy rains.