MEN INSPECTING GUNS
The 30 year civil war has left Mozambique burdened with an arsenal fit for an army. Even after a sustained period of peace, rifles, anti-aircraft rockets and hand grenades are still common currency.
GRINDING MACHINE
1.25
Now some of these weapons are being put to the sword. Since 1995 the Mozambique church council has been running a programme to dismantle the country's remaining firearms. The council offers civilians the chance to exchange their weapons for tools or implements. It's a programme where the gun and the pistol are turning into the bicycle and the sewing machine.
ROADSIDE
1.57
A specially equipped truck is used to disable the artilery. Many Mozambicans simply leave the guns by the side of the road for the council staff to collect.
ROADSIDE
02.09
Mines, hand grenades and mortars are given to the army to destroy. So far the scheme has taken 75,000 guns out of circulation. At the project's HQ they emphasis the extra freedom a gun free community enables.
2.25
O-sound
Jacinto Muth
project leader, Mozambique church council
If they sell them guns they'll never be free because any step to be free they'll get more money and go and drink and maybe buy another gun. But when they get tools to help themselves, to help their family, they start to become free from the violence.
STOCKPILED TOOLS
02.47
Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world with little money for food let alone tools. So the project has its roots abroad in countries which can provide the finance and equipment. Bicycles from Japan and sewing machines from Europe.
03.12
Even so it still costs $250,000 a year to keep the programme going.
EXTERIOR VILLAGE
3.21
And collecting the weapons from the countryside can be difficult. It's illegal for individuals to possess firearms so the first hurdle is to gain people's trust. Although they are often fearful the incentive for tools and a chance to escape their poverty is overwhelming.
3.41
O-sound
Samuel, farmer
The community knows that if you give the gun to the organisation there's something you are getting from them, for example somebody got a bicycle, or an iron or a sewing machine. That's why people are interested in giving guns to the organisation which is helping us.
WOMAN SEWING
4.07
This woman has just received a sewing machine. During the war she lost everything when she fled with her family to neighbouring Swaziland. Now she can begin to rebuild her life.
4.21
O-sound
Maria, mother
I've learnt sewing. With a sewing machine I can now earn money.
FAMILY AROUND FIRE
04.30
Although the war between the government and rebel groups ended as far back as 1992 Mozembique has been slow to rebuild its infrastructure. During the 30 years of fighting many of the country's buildings were destroyed. Now with the help of the exchange scheme the situation is gradually changing.
MEN UNLOADING ROOFING
04.55
This corrugated roofing was exchanged for a Kalaschnikov rifle. Now it'll provide a replacement home for a family in the south of country.
JUNGLE PATH
05.08
And for some former fighters the church scheme offers a chance to lay to rest the ghosts of the past.
MEN DIGGING FOR GUNS
5.16
During the civil war Francisco was a Renamo guerilla fighting against the government army. When peace came he like the other Renamo buried their weapons believing there would never be a lasting peace with the government. Now Francisco feels it's the right time to cash in.
5.38
Even after being buried for 10 years, the weapons will still function. It means their value to the programme is increased.
5.46
O-sound
Francisco, former rebel fighter
I don't have enough money for the family. We don't have enough to eat. So, I revealed this stock of weapons which I buried here in 1987.
MEN RETURNING WITH HAUL
6.02
Before the first multi-party elections in '94 the rebel fighters were supposed to have handed in their weapons. The few that did got nothing in return.
GV SCULPTURES
6.17
But not all the current exchanges result in tools. Some of the former war machines have been transformed into works of art reshaping people's attitudes to weapons. Some of these sculptures have been exhibited in Europe and for the artists it's a rehabilitating experience.
6.37
O-sound Inacio Matsinhe
artists
It's a kind of cry against war. People suffered during the war, when they really wanted peace. That's a chair for politicians. It shows them that war is always a kind of destruction.
MAN SAWING WOOD
7.00
But for many former soldiers new skills have been hard to come by. Paulo like many of his generation learnt nothing except how to kill. Now he earns a meagre income sawing trees and making charcoal. But even this resulted in a change of fortune. Every morning Paolo gets up early and walks for two hours into the bush. One day he came across a find.
7.30
O-sound
Paulo
former soldier
They were hidden here only under some branches and grass. The rebels didn't have time to bury them before they fled.
LS VILLAGE GVS
7.40
Paolo was lucky enough to find four Kalaschnikovs and an old Portuguese machine gun. In his village it's the equivalent of winning a jackpot on the lottery. Across the country such finds are generating opportunities for many families living in poverty. It's estimated that around 3000 machine guns have so far been handed in to the exchange programme, many of them from people like Paolo. He has two wives and four children to feed. Now he wants to exchange the weapons for a new bed, building materials and a bicycle.
JOAQUIM CYCLING
8.33
Joaquim already has a bicycle. He also got it through the church scheme and for many years he's both helped and profited from working for the organisation. Now he's gained the trust of the population and often acts as an intermediary between the seller and the church. But like many other Mozambiqans his main belief in the scheme is to see the roots of a future conflict cut off for ever.
9.06
Joaquim
agent
I could never buy these things the church council has given me. I don't have the money. Apart from that, I want Mozambique to live in peace again. That's why the weapons have to be destroyed.
CAR ARRIVING
9.28
As word spreads more and more weapons are being offered up. Gil heard about the exchange scheme over the radio. A former soldier, he has a pistol which he wants to exchange for a sewing machine. But first the organisation wants to check its condition and assess its value.
GIL HANDING OVER GUN
10.00
Even as the scheme grows in stature owners are still fearful of the authorities so initially they'll exchange a single gun then wait and see if the police are called. If nothing happens, they hand over the rest of the stash.
10.17
Gil knows where other weapons are hidden, but he's keeping the details to himself. For the time being he just wants to hand over a pistol.
GIL CARRYING SEWING MACHINE
10.33
The scheme has helped to push up the cost of weapons. They're more valuable now than during the war and most importantly its encouraged people to do the country's dismarming for themselves. It's a unique solution to a problem that dogs every post conflict scenerio - the decommissioning of weapons.
10.59
Gil
former soldier
I now feel free and secure. The weapons are out of the house. It's difficult to survive but now I have a new opportunity to practice my trade.
GIL SEWING (WITH FAMILY)
11.19
It's not just a chance for Gil but ALSO for his children. With the sewing machine they'll inherit an income.
Ends
11.33
Reporter: Marion Mayer-Hohdahl
Camera: Mattheus Brink
VT editor: Grant Aerts
AKM:
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