Icidua—a devastated community along the banks of the Bons Sinais River in Quelimane, Mozambique—is a place where extreme poverty, environmental hardship, and disease weave a tapestry of suffering few can imagine. Despite lying just 7 kilometres from the city centre, it remains one of the most neglected corners of the earth. Yet, in this very place, hope is stirring. And in this season when we remember the hope brought into the world—Jesus Christ, born in a humble manger—we are reminded that true hope often dawns in the most forgotten places.

A Community in Crisis
“There is almost nothing here in Icidua, except alcohol and paid sex that fill the leisure hours,” shared The Most Rev Vicente Msosa, who is the Archbishop of Mozambique and Angola. “People are dying in silence. We desperately need help—and prayers.”

With over 8,500 residents, Icidua was once a gathering place for fishermen. Over the years, it became a refuge for families displaced by war and climate disasters. Today, it is a community clinging to life amidst dilapidated huts, with no electricity, clean water, or healthcare. Many households share broken plates and roofs that cannot keep out the rain. Children and the elderly often sleep standing to avoid the floods that soak their floors.

For basic needs like water, women and children walk over 7 kilometres to fetch a 20-litre container that costs 10 meticais (about 21 Singapore cents)—an impossible price for many. The HIV infection rate stands at a staggering 40%. Cholera, malaria, and other waterborne diseases claim lives regularly, especially among children. Hunger, too, is a constant companion.

A Mission of Mercy
Moved by the suffering in Icidua, the Diocese of Zambezia launched the Save A Community Relief Project (SACREP) to bring emergency aid and a pathway to long-term recovery for 1,300 households across five of the most affected communities.

The Bible Society of Singapore, in keeping with our mission to see lives transformed through the Word and compassionate action, was one of the partners of this initiative—bringing God’s love to one of the world’s most forgotten corners.
This five-month project, which began in March 2025, provided:

Immediate relief: food packages (rice, maize, beans, cooking oil), medical supplies for malaria and bilharzia, clothing, clean water, and shelter materials.
Healthcare access: mobile clinics, medicine distribution, and hygiene kits prioritising women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Agricultural support: training in climate-smart farming, provision of seeds and tools, and the formation of farming committees to boost long-term food security.
Community empowerment: outreach programmes on disaster preparedness, nutrition, and sustainable farming to help Icidua move from crisis to resilience.

Healing the Brokenhearted Through the Gospel
At the heart of this mission is the transformative power of the Gospel—offering both physical relief and the spiritual hope that only Christ can bring. The Bible Society hopes to provide not just material support, but that families in Icidua would also receive the Good News of Jesus, the One who sees the forgotten and uplifts the brokenhearted.

A local pastor involved in the outreach shared, “The people of Icidua could not believe others from across the world cared enough to help. We told them, ‘You are not forgotten. God sees you—and so do your brothers and sisters in Christ.’”

As we celebrate the birth of Christ this December, let us reflect on the miracle of Emmanuel—God with us. May we carry that same spirit to those like the people of Icidua, whose lives can be transformed by the simplest acts of love.

How can you be involved?
Psalm 113:7 says, “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap.” In the past five years, the Bible Society’s global missions efforts have helped 26 countries and reached over 50,000 families. Yet, there are more who need our help. This Christmas, we invite you to bring lasting change to someone’s life. Together, we can make a difference.

Honouring the Labour of our Migrant Domestic Workers

Besides equipping our migrant workers, it is just as important to recognise and honour their contributions to Singapore’s society. Take our migrant domestic workers (MDWs) for instance, who are often invisible, but carry the weight of their homes and families. Some endure unpleasant living conditions and perform back-breaking labour every day, their sacrifices largely unnoticed.

The parable of the unforgiving servant (Matt 18:21–35) is just one of many instances in the Bible where Jesus implores us to treat those who serve us with compassion and kindness. Thankfully, more organisations are recognising the need to do just that, picking up the momentum of recognising and honouring domestic helpers, whose lives are certainly no less significant than ours.

In February, SowCare, as a partner of *ADEO, attended the *AEA(S) Lunar New Year Lo Hei Celebration, which also includes the 20th edition of the Migrant Domestic Worker & Employer of the Year Awards (sponsored by SowCare and HIA). This ceremony honours both the MDWs for the exemplary work they have done, as well as employers who have shown mutual respect and care for their helpers.

Darsiti, a domestic helper who hails from Indonesia, was at the event to show her support for her employer, Corrine, whom she had nominated for Employer of the Year. Unfortunately, Corrine could not be present, and was represented by her daughter, Cheyenne, instead. Darsiti shared her Singapore story that, like many others, started from a desire to make more money and provide for their families back home. Darsiti, who has been working for Corrine since 1999, paid tribute to her love and kindness. She also expressed her gratitude towards Corrine for imparting valuable skills that made her job easier, as well as essential life skills like saving money and managing her finances.

She is also an active member of ADEO, which she also credits for helping her stay active and expand her social circle through the recreational activities that they have been organising for other fellow MDWs, with the support of SowCare.

Darsiti’s story is just one of many heartwarming tributes shared at the event, highlighting the importance of fostering a healthy and loving relationship between employers and employees. By caring for them, we not only show appreciation for their hard work, but also exemplify God’s heart for the nations within our own nation. It is our hope that more migrant workers and their employers will be given their due recognition as they continue to go above and beyond to work in Singapore, all whilst being far away from their own.

*SowCare: The community service arm of the Bible Society
*AGWO: Alliance of Guest Workers Outreach
*Hope Initiative Alliance (HIA): An Institution of a Public Character (IPC) charity
*ADEO: The Alliance of Domestic Employees Outreach
*AEA(S): Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore)