Wisney Sumalgy On Poverty and Food Insecurity in Mozambique.
Poverty is a persistent issue affecting communities across the globe, and the challenges it creates are complex and deeply entrenched. To gain a deeper understanding of how poverty impacts individuals and communities, I spoke with Wisney Sumalgy, a fourth-year student of Architecture and Physical Planning, who shared her personal insights on the issue from her home country, Mozambique.
Despite being part of the middle class, Wisney has witnessed firsthand the increasing struggles that poverty creates for both rural and urban populations. She notes that recent economic and social challenges have exacerbated poverty, making it an even more pressing concern. "Many people are living below the poverty line, facing issues like food insecurity, unemployment, and lack of access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and transportation," she explains.
The effects of poverty are seen throughout the community, affecting nearly every aspect of daily life. As basic needs become harder to meet, families find themselves caught in a cycle that is difficult to escape. “The struggle to meet daily needs is constant," Wisney adds, "and this creates a cycle of poverty that is hard to break."
The Environmental Impact
In rural areas, poverty forces people to rely on unsustainable practices that damage the environment. For example, many households rely on charcoal and firewood for cooking, which contributes to deforestation. “Without alternative energy sources, the environment suffers,” Wisney says, "and that, in turn, worsens the quality of life for the community."
This environmental degradation is not just an isolated problem. The lack of financial resources to adopt sustainable practices creates a vicious cycle, where poverty leads to environmental damage, which then worsens living conditions for those already struggling. Additionally, the lack of opportunities for personal and professional growth makes it even harder for individuals to move beyond poverty. Many youths, for example, are unable to pursue higher education or vocational training due to financial constraints, leaving them stuck in low-paying or unstable jobs.
Wisney also highlights the role of informal financial systems in the community. While community-based support groups and microcredit schemes provide some relief, they are not scalable solutions to poverty. “These systems provide temporary relief,” she says, "but they aren’t enough to pull people out of poverty on a large scale."
The Growing Challenge of Food Insecurity
One of the most critical effects of poverty in Wisney Sumalgy’s community is food insecurity—a daily struggle for many families. As Wisney points out, a significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line, making it difficult to secure consistent access to nutritious food. "Food insecurity is widespread," she explains, "and it’s one of the most pressing challenges facing people in my country."
The lack of financial resources means that many families can only afford minimal or low-quality food, leading to malnutrition and related health issues. In rural areas, food production is often affected by environmental degradation and poor agricultural infrastructure, further limiting access to fresh and nutritious options. “Without sustainable practices and proper support for local agriculture, food insecurity becomes a persistent issue,” Wisney adds.
This issue doesn’t just affect individuals’ health—it has wider implications for education and employment. Children from food-insecure households often struggle to focus in school due to hunger, limiting their ability to succeed academically and further perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Adults, too, may find it difficult to work or pursue job opportunities when their basic nutritional needs aren’t being met.
In response to this crisis, many families have had to adopt unsustainable practices to survive. Some rely on cheap, energy-dense foods that provide little nutritional value, while others resort to informal support systems to obtain food. However, as Wisney notes, these solutions are temporary and don’t address the root causes of food insecurity. "We need long-term solutions," she emphasizes, "including investment in local agriculture, better access to sustainable food sources, and policies that address the root economic issues fueling poverty and hunger."
Ultimately, solving the problem of food insecurity requires addressing both the immediate need for affordable, nutritious food and the larger economic challenges that prevent families from achieving food stability.
Challenges in Escaping Poverty
According to Wisney, there are several major barriers to escaping poverty in her country. One of the most significant is high unemployment, especially among young people. Many are forced into the informal sector, where jobs are unstable and incomes are unpredictable. "Without consistent income, saving for the future becomes impossible, perpetuating a cycle of poverty," she explains.
Another major challenge is the lack of support for entrepreneurship. While starting a business is often seen as a way out of poverty, accessing credit and financing is nearly impossible for those with limited financial resources. Wisney points out that this lack of support prevents many individuals from pursuing business opportunities that could provide a more stable income.
Even for those with the means to start a business, the risks are high. With an underdeveloped economic infrastructure, there are few local industries to support production, forcing the country to rely heavily on imports. This further limits job opportunities and makes it harder for new businesses to succeed. “For those with moderate financial means, starting a business is a high-risk venture,” Wisney says. "Failure can be devastating."
She also touches on the low level of education, which plays a crucial role in keeping people trapped in poverty. Without access to quality education, many individuals lack the skills necessary to pursue better job opportunities or break free from the cycle of poverty.
A Call for Change
As we consider solutions to poverty on a global scale, Wisney’s insights reveal the need for a multifaceted approach. Improving access to education, providing support for entrepreneurs, and developing economic infrastructure are all crucial steps in helping individuals escape poverty. Additionally, addressing the environmental consequences of poverty and providing alternative energy sources could create more sustainable living conditions for rural communities.
Wisney’s story reminds us that poverty is not just an economic issue—it’s a social and environmental one as well. As she continues her studies in architecture and physical planning, she hopes to contribute to the development of better systems that will help lift her community out of poverty and build a more sustainable future.
By listening to those like Wisney, who live with the realities of poverty every day, we can begin to understand the true complexity of the issue and work toward meaningful solutions. Poverty and food insecurity may seem like an insurmountable challenge, but with the right strategies, it is possible to break the cycle and create a better future for all, in Mozambique and also around the world.