Stitch by Stitch: Needlework Knitting Together Conflict-Torn communities on Northern Mozambique

The sound of gunfire broke the silence of the quiet night in Celestino's village, Muidumbe in Northern Mozambique. "The attack happened suddenly, and we had to spend nearly a month hiding in the bushes with other survivors," he says, calmly working the fabric through a sewing machine. Today, that night feels like a distant memory, but its effects are still present in his daily life.

In Metuge district, where over 79,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have sought refuge from ongoing conflict, Celestino and his family found safety but lost everything they had built. Their previous life of farming and construction work vanished overnight and was replaced by the uncertainty of displacement. 

"Some days are harder than others," Celestino admits, pausing from his work. "The fear and uncertainty never really leave you." Yet amid these challenges, he found a path to recovery through an old passion. 

Before the conflict, Celestino and his wife Paulina enjoyed sewing as a hobby. Now, in their new community, this skill has become an opportunity for resilience. "Having a sewing machine and fabric has given me purpose again," he says. 

Through the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) integrated protection and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services, Celestino received the tools to restart his craft. "Sewing helps me forget, even if just for a little while. Being here with my friends and creating together has been incredibly helpful. It helps keep negative thoughts away. We share laughs, and that truly makes a difference," he explains. 

In a unique initiative to promote resilience and self-sufficiency, the Individual Protection Assistance (IPA) program is equipping individuals in vulnerable communities with essential tools like sewing machines and kits. These items, part of an in-kind assistance effort, aim to reduce protection risks while enhancing well-being. Alongside sewing supplies, the IPA program offers medical assistive devices, shelter kits, school supplies, and food packages to address diverse needs. Beneficiaries are carefully selected through team assessments or partner referrals, with each case evaluated based on specific needs, risks, and existing skills, such as sewing. 

Celestino’s work extends beyond personal healing. In a community where many struggle to afford necessities, his skills serve an essential need. He creates uniforms for children whose families cannot afford them, turning his craft into a form of community service. 

"Being able to help others while doing what I love – it's an opportunity I'm really grateful for," he says. 

As he prepares for the new school year, Celestino's focus is creating uniforms for his own children. But his dreams stretch further. "I hope to open my own shop someday," he says, his eyes bright with possibility. "A place where I can provide for my family and serve our community." 

The Tratara community centre has become a hub of support and activity, where 20 selected beneficiaries—chosen through assessments or referrals as part of this initiative—work together on sewing machines, and displaced people gather daily to participate in various programs. Linqueni, an older member of the community also part of the sewing group, has found renewed purpose in these collective gatherings. "They have given us, the older persons, a chance to grow together and receive support. I feel happy and appreciated here," he says. 

Nearby, Anselmo works on his own sewing project. "I enjoy working with my friends, sewing for our families and children. With this support, we can continue providing for them," he shares.  They strengthen community solidarity by easing the financial burden on families who send their children to school and by reducing isolation among older people, fostering connections between generations. Though the income generated is modest, it helps pave a path toward sustainable solutions. 

Celestino's story shows how the simple act of creating can intertwine healing, purpose, and hope. Each uniform he sews represents more than clothing – it's a stitch in the fabric of a community rebuilding itself.  

While directly benefiting the 20 group members, this initiative also reaches many others—family members and community members who gain from the tailoring services offered. Designed to grow sustainably, this activity will continue providing income opportunities and enhance the well-being of the community in the long term. 

IOM’s integrated protection and MHPSS services in Mozambique continue to address humanitarian needs while fostering resilience among displaced populations. These initiatives made possible through the generous support of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, Irish Aid and USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, provide essential tools and resources that help individuals like Celestino, Linqueni, and Anselmo rebuild their lives and improve wellbeing in displacement-affected communities across Northern Mozambique.