The weapons destruction was part of the Christian Council of Mozambique's program "Transformation of Arms into Hoes," launched in mid-October. People who deliver weapons to the church office receive bicycles, sewing machines, tools or tractors donated by German church organizations. In addition, a truck fitted with presses and power saws is travelling to various churches that serve as weapons collection points to destroy guns on the spot.
Mozambique has been awash with weapons. Hungry Mozambican refugees were selling AK-47s in South African townships for as little as the equivalent of $8.20.
In the early 1990s Mary Yoder Holsopple and other MCC workers began trying to find ways to aid in disarming the region. They became aware that local church leaders had begun examining the possibility of buying back and destroying weapons. Some local partners affirmed the idea as a way to address increasing violent crime, and suggested recycling guns into useful items such as candle holders. Others felt the idea was too short-sighted and complicated.
But Anglican Bishop Denis Sengulane, President of the Christian Council of Mozambique's Committee of Peace and Reconciliation, insisted that "turning swords into plowshares" should be a top priority for churches. He called on churches to help young soldiers--some drafted when still children--become productive members of society.
From this early dreaming emerged the current program of collecting weapons and exchanging them for useful farming and household tools. Grassroots support has been strong. The arms turned in thus far have come from ordinary people. The government also supports the program, and has supplied military specialists to help out.
No one knows how many weapons remain in Mozambique. But the initial response of local people is an indication that, given adequate financial support, this ongoing project of "transforming arms into hoes" could be responsible for the destruction of a significant amount of weapons.
Fremont and Sara Regier, MCC Mozambique