“Now We Feel Safe”: How Xito’s Family Built a Stronger Future Through Disaster Preparedness

By António Massipa, Regional Communications and Advocacy Coordinator

12-year-old Xito stands proudly in front of his family’s home – a solid, brick-built house that has withstood the very storms that once destroyed everything they owned, in Monapo district in northern Mozambique.

“Our house used to be made of mud,” Xito recalls. “Every time there was strong wind or rain, it would collapse, and we would lose everything. I lost my school supplies and documents many times.”

The harsh Mozambican climate had long cast a shadow over Xito’s young life. Until recently, his family of seven lived in a mud house, vulnerable to frequent strong wind and heavy rain. To make matters worse, Xito’s father had unknowingly built the house in a hazardous location, directly in the path of rainwater runoff. “Dad said we had to leave,” Xito explains, “because the water made things even worse.”

A turning point came in 2024. Through World Vision’s community mobilisation efforts, Xito’s father became a member of the local disaster risk management committee. That year, nearly 3,150 community and school committee members across the area programmes where the organisation operates in Mozambique received vital training. They learnt about disaster preparedness, early warning systems, mapping safe zones, the power of community action, and effective evacuation planning.

For Xito’s father, the training on constructing resilient infrastructure proved life-changing. “That’s when Dad learnt how and where to build a strong house – one that wouldn’t collapse in strong wind and rain,” Xito says, his voice full of pride. Equipped with this new knowledge, his father joined forces with other community members to build stronger, safer homes.

“After that,” Xito continues, “my dad started making proper baked bricks. He saved up all the bricks he needed and built our house on a new piece of land.” The result has been transformative. “I think this is one of the best things my dad has ever done,” Xito says. “Because now we have a safe house that can withstand the strong wind and rain. Even when that cyclone hit our area,” referring to the devastating impact of Cyclone Chido in December 2024 and Cyclone Jude in March 2025 on Nampula province, “our house wasn’t damaged. It’s still standing strong.”

Thanks to the training and community mobilisation supported by World Vision, families like Xito’s are now better prepared and more resilient. Local committees are equipped to take action, inform their neighbours, and reduce risks before disasters strike.

“I think this is one of the best things my father has ever done,” says Xito. “Now we feel safe.”

Join World Vision and Help Build Safer Futures

Xito’s story is just one example of how disaster preparedness can transform lives, with the right training and support.

But many more families are still vulnerable. By partnering with World Vision, you can help empower communities with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to prepare for disasters, protect their children, and build a stronger future.

Join World Vision today, because every child deserves to feel safe.