Novo Destino’s New Face

Novo Destino is a community located in Mé-Zochi district, around 17 km outside the capital city, with about 250 people. Whoever had the opportunity to visit Novo Destino in January 2007 would notice a great difference if they went there today: 27 latrines – one for each household of the community – with a central sewage system leading to a common septic tank, a laundry area, clean running water, and renovations of all community restrooms. But these infrastructural interventions were not all; in December last year, the community health center and shop were inaugurated, and certificates of completion were given to community agents and 7 people trained in business management. One could say it was a Christmas gift to the community.
This great investment came from the Chevron Texaco oil enterprise, which financed this project to the tune of 70 thousand dollars. ADRA STP provided guidance, while the community contributed with manual labor. These interventions were according to the needs identified by community members, which also provided motivation for the work achieved. ADRA STP also provided training to the community in agriculture, new technical works, cooperation and organization, sanitation, and others.
Present at the simple but important inauguration ceremony were the director of Chevron Texaco, Timothy Parsons; the director of ADRA STP; the Minister of Health; the president of the local government of Mé-Zochi district; the director of FIC/PAPAPFPA, Carminda Viegas; and community residents. The director of ADRA STP, Emanuel Costa, highlighted that the organization has been working in Novo Destino since 2004. He reemphasized that the health center has everything that it needs, and that in an effort to provide remuneration for community health agents, ADRA STP is also providing a community shop. Domingo Silva, a highly skilled community leader, said, “This community is benefitted yet again, and we are so glad because we never dreamed of having a community health center… If this organization leaves us, we’ll be so broken-hearted because ADRA has truly brought Novo Destino a new destiny.”
After the presenting of certificates, a representative of the trainees, Daniel Amuçu, said, “In the name of all of my colleagues I thank the trainers and, of course, ADRA, too, because they have given us sufficient knowledge to know how to take care of our population’s health. With the things we have learned, I am sure that many of the sicknesses will be treated right here, without needing to go to the capital city hospital.” The president of the local government of Mé-Zochi district expressed his gladness that the residents of Novo Destino know what they want; now, they must maintain the infrastructure so that it will last for many years to come. A representative of Chevron Texaco also said that he is very glad for the work achieved toward the goal of changing Novo Destino’s residents’ living conditions. “We’d like to thank ADRA for the good coordination provided throughout the work process. We’d also like to thank the community of Novo Destino for the motivation and contribution primarily through providing manual labor. Without motivation on the community’s part, it would not be easy to implement this project successfully.”
At the end of the ceremony, the Minister of Health said, “The inaugurated structures will serve to improve sanitation at the country level. The structure of this health center makes me very happy because it not only supports medical activities, but also has a room where the community can interact with the health system. It is good to have preventive support, because it has become necessary to work in disease prevention. This is an integrated method, for it allows people to contribute so that the organization may be sustainable.”
Therefore, if you want to see this example with your own eyes, go to Novo Destino and say, “One for all, and all for one.”

By Conceição Agaty
Translated from Portuguese by Edy T. Managem and Adam D. Kiš