In years past, things were much better for the people of Vila José in the southern region of São Tomé.  The European Union had sponsored a development project that had planted large sections of land in a kind of palm tree that produces palm oil.  The project had been very successful and had brought roads, employment, housing and a school to the community.  Ten years ago the project ended and the palm oil industry was turned over to the government.  The roads fell into disrepair, machinery failed and was not fixed, aging palm trees were not replaced with new stock, the incomes of the people dropped dramatically and the school lost most of it’s funding. 

When ADRA first started working in this part of the Island it had concentrated its efforts on helping the people create food and income through a goat project. But as they worked in the community they noticed the neglected school and the many truant children scampering through the palm groves.  It was soon discovered that the school had one of the lowest passing rates in the country. The new ADRA director, Emanuel da Costa decided that something had to be done about the school.  He sat down with the community leaders and discussed different ways that might bring improvement to the school. “We need books, desks, better classrooms, and qualified teachers”, the elders said.  All important elements for school!  “If we made these kinds of investments in the school, how could we be sure that the children would come”?  Emanuel asked.  “If there was daily lunch provided for all who attend, they would come”, was the reply. 

Emanuel got busy looking for partners that could help the school.  ADRA Portugal was the first to sign on.  Individuals throughout Portugal had expressed an interest in getting involved with some kind of "sponsor a child" program.  But, as this kind of program can be very costly to run and often singles out only one or two individuals in a community, while the rest of the kids go hungry, many NGO’s are moving away from programs like this.  Emanuel proposed that the people of Portugal pool their funds together and use the one fund to revitalize the school.  It was agreed.  The Canadian embassy in São Tomé was the next to sign on.  They built a library room and kitchen.  ADRA Canada joined in and bought much needed books for the library.  Dilapidated classrooms have been rehabilitated.  Furniture has been bought, paint has been applied, teachers hired, and a school lunch program established.  Working together with all of the partners, the little school in Vila José has been transformed!

It was a real pleasure for me to visit this school.  In honor of my visit, they had all worn tee-shirts, reserved for special occasions.  The message on the shirts proudly declared that they were “ADRA Kids!”  It was easy to see that they loved their “new” school.  They read for me, sang for me and danced for me.  No longer was their school holding the record for having the lowest passing rate in the country.  It was now one of the highest!

What a difference a small investment can make.

As we drove back to the capital I looked out the window at the many little villages that we passed.  What were their schools like?  How many more children are there out there scampering through the jungle, that could benefit by becoming “ADRA kids”? 

How wonderful it would be if every school across our nation could partner with a school like the one in Vila José, and bring the same new vitality to schools throughout the impoverished world!  If you think that the students of your school would be interested in a project like this, please be in touch with ADRA.