ALMA is a partnership of Anglican dioceses in Angola, London and Mozambique (Lebombo and Niassa dioceses).

The soul of this partnership - ALMA means 'soul' in Portuguese - is a commitment to mutual support in prayer and worship, in ministry and mission. Each is a partner in the Gospel of Christ contributing according to its ability and having needs, which the others will seek to meet.

The aims are to develop the partnership through prayer, communication, visits between dioceses and projects, as follows.

1. Through prayer: parish and diocesan bodies will base and enrich the work of ALMA in local creativity and prayer
2. Through communication: build a lay ministry of Link Officers, Communications and Twinning Officers, Catechists and Parish representatives (as appropriate) to support ALMA activities and ensure each diocese and twin parish and school shares information on its aims, priorities, joys and difficulties
3. Through visits between dioceses: by bishops, clergy and lay representatives, especially to support parish and school twinning
4. Through projects: to contribute to the education and health needs of our Link dioceses and the theological education and training of clergy and lay ministers.

The lives of those in the three countries of course are very different. In contrast to the current peace and prosperity of England, both Mozambique and Angola have emerged from a long colonial legacy and protracted civil war, which have left them in a state of dire poverty. At the time ALMA began in 1998, Mozambique was ranked as the poorest country in the world. In 2002, UNICEF declared Angola the worst place in the world to be a child - see the figures on the UN sites for Angola and Mozambique >>

However, we all have a lot to learn from Angola and Mozambique - the churches have helped in the pursuit of peace and post conflict reconciliation. For example, in Mozambique, the church helped initiate the Transforming Arms into Tools project >>

People are encouraged to exchange weapons for tools to earn a living - sewing machines, hoes, bicycles and also a variety of construction materials. Weapons have been cut up and transformed by Mozambican artists into sculptures, such as those exhibited in the British Museum - The Tree of Life and Throne of Weapons.