- Promoter: Fondazione Canossiana
- Recipients: 50 teachers and 5 employers; 540 children, 120 students and 400 young people
- Harambee Contribution: 33.000 euros
Description
The project will take place in the cities of São Tomé and Santana. The Canossian Sisters have been present on the island of São Tomé for about 50 years. When they arrived on the island, the country’s situation was promising: there were many foreign investments and many opportunities for local people. Since independence, the island has suffered a severe recession due to the absence of investment in new initiatives or in existing activities in social, industrial and commercial fields. This situation generated a strong instability in the country. Few economic sectors seem to be able to generate employment, the most important ones, as the coffee industry, do not seem to have further potential. The majority of goods come from abroad, except some agricultural products such as tropical fruit and fish. The population is rapidly aging, young people do not have incentives to stay and tend to leave the island and continue their studies abroad, in Europe or in Angola.
The project consists of three initiatives:
- “Quality teaching” It takes place in the city of Sao Tome and involves the training of 50 teachers and 5 staff of training centers run by the Canossian Sisters;
- “One more book… to dream more. ” It takes place in the city of Sao Tome and provides educational and food support to approximately 540 children;
- “A window on the world.” It takes place in the city of Santana and provides computer training for about 120 students and 400 young people.
George, 29 years old, dreams of becoming an entrepreneur in tourism. With your help, he can improve his education and possibly make his dream come true.
“I’ve been going to the Canossians for many years now and when they need a driver, they call me. I love driving. I teach geography and am now specializing in tourism at the Superior Institute here on our beautiful island, which, unfortunately, is unknown to tourists. Our island has great potential, but we have to make ourselves known. I study and work every day, travelling 12km on bike. Thanks to the computer center, I have enrolled in a course to learn Microsoft Excel, which is very important for a future in tourism. In September I would like to improve my English through a course that will be held in the same center. I’m certain it will be very useful to me. These courses are fundamental for an internship at a famous hotel in the area, the Club Santana. I hope to be hired. What’s more, I can use the internet to help with my studies and establish contacts with people who live abroad and who better understand and promote projects dealing with tourism. An association in Portugal has already contacted me about launching a publicity project for tourism in São Tomé. It would be an incredible opportunity. This center is extremely useful and allows us to save time and money by not having to go to the city every time we need something!”
