ADRA STP - NEWS

ADRA Trains the Government

2009-01-08T17:22:00.003Z

In an accord signed between ADRA-STP and representatives of the national government of São Tomé e Príncipe on December 5, 2008, ADRA will provide training in general accounting and the use of QuickBooks accounting software to the Centro Nacional de Endemias (CNE). This center, under the Ministry of Health, is the Saotomean counterpart to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States. In addition to accounting and software training, ADRA will assist CNE in setting up an accounting system to international standards in preparation for CNE to take over management of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria from the local United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office.

ADRA-STP was approached about this opportunity after a delegation of UNDP representatives visited the offices of several NGO’s in the country to assess the quality of their accounting systems and experience with accounting software. The transparency, rigor, and high standards of ADRA-STP’s Finance Department impressed the delegation, and they were also attracted by the quality of the QuickBooks program. “The capacities of our monitoring and evaluation department, our program planning department, and other departments are strong,” says Dr. Herodes Sousa Pontes do Sacramento Rompão, Director of CNE. “But our financial system needs significant strengthening. This training provided by ADRA is a very important part of our preparation to manage the Global Fund.”

The training and accounting system setup will begin in December 2008 with duration of two months. ADRA-STP’s Finance Director, Mr. Ugochukwu A. Nwachukwu, will conduct the training based upon his accounting degree from the University of Port Harcourt (Nigeria), his experience as an international businessman, and his work with ADRA-STP.

“We are very pleased to be afforded this opportunity,” says Dr. Adam D. Kiš, Country Director for ADRA-STP. “Most of our work takes place at the community level, but working at the national level is also a form of development which can ultimately improve the lives of all.”

ADRA Inaugurates the first and Largest Irrigation structure in Sao Tome and Principe.

2008-05-09T12:45:00.006Z

History was made on the 16th of April when ADRA Sao Tome and Principe inaugurated the first and only concrete irrigation water reservoir in the country. This structure having a dimension of 65 meter in length, 30 meters in width and 8 meter deep is locate in Gratidão (Mesquita) zone of Sao Tome and was Financed by Chevron JDZ Ltd.

The minister of Agriculture Valdemira Tavares while thanking ADRA and Chevron said that this gift is not for Mesquita alone but rather for the people of Sao Tome and Principe as a whole. Emphasizing that the Water Reservoir structure will not only increase the all year round availability of water, but will also increase the number of farmers and also the number of people that sells the farm products in the markets, thereby reducing the acute unemployment problem in the country. She reiterated that with this structure that she was sure that in the near future, Mesquita and environ will have enough production even for Export. And pleaded for ADRA’s continued support in the agricultural sector.

The Managing Director of Chevron in Sao Tome Mr Tim Pearson in his speech thanked ADRA for good implementation of the Project even in the presence of sky rocketing inflation and glaring unavailability of necessary construction equipments. He lauded ADRA Capability, and in his word “We are glad our funds has be well managed and invested” and to show his satisfaction He announced that Chevron will be providing ADRA with more $41,000 for another phase of the project, which will involve rehabilitation of the River Dam that supplies water to the water reservoir and aids to the Farmers in the form of Tools, Seeds and Farm additives.
He further stated that Chevron and ADRA will carry out a study to rehabilitation and extend the irrigation water pipe line to other area so as to make optimal use of the increased water supply.

The President and Treasurer of the Mesquita and Uba Cabra Farmer’s Cooperative Association which has a membership of 299 registered members, with eyes filled with tears of Joy, said that “ADRA has not only given them Fish, But has also taught them to catch Fishes” and that they will eternally remain grateful to ADRA for coming to their rescue.

In His own words the ADRA STP interin Country Director Mr Eliseu Xavier thanked the Cooperative Association of Mesquita and Uba Cabra for their invaluable participation in the Project, CONSTEP Ltd and Mota Engil Ltd for donating freely, the Cement mixers used during the construction, all past and present Staffs of ADRA STP who were involved in the project, and all those, who in one way or the other contributed to the success of this life changing project.

The water Reservoir was implemented at the cost of $94,000.

Written by:

Ugochukwu.A.Nwachukwu

Finance Director (ADRA STP)

The New Look of ADRA.st

2008-02-08T22:08:00.000Z

ADRA STP is constantly changing in order to create a the best impact to those we help. This is one of the main reasons why we redesigned our website to better suit our needs and to inform others of what we are up to. Feel free to visit us @ http://adra.st and see how you can change a life of a person.

Minister of Economy visit ADRA’s Irrigation Project

2008-01-17T11:22:00.000Z

In partnership with the Agriculture National Department, and the farmers of Mesquita, ADRA implements an irrigation project with the potential to serve 300 small farmers already working in the Mesquita area and to create opportunities for the settlement of 300 other farmers, on previously cultivated land but that were abandoned due to water scarcity problems.
Recently, by invitation of the Director for the National Department of Agriculture, the newly appointed Minister of Economy, visited the ongoing Irrigation project and more specifically the Water Reservoir. The Minister of Economy also holds the paste of Agriculture and was accompanied by the State Secretary for Agriculture and all directors of the several National Agriculture Departments.
The Minister of Economy, underlined the importance this project has on the support to the small farmers but equally on the important impact it will have on the established national priority to increase the agricultural production in country.
The Irrigation system and other components of the project, including training, tools and seeds, is expected to be completed in April 2008.
The Irrigation system project is funded by Chevron JDZ and the training seeds and tools is funded by ADRA Canada, under the ongoing project “Exchange of Information and Agricultural Production”.

We are ADRA STP

2008-01-09T16:30:00.000Z

Official ADRA STP picture for 2007-08.

Front Row: Edynésio Managem; Ismael Cardoso; Raquel Costa; Josias Boa Morte; Karlilaed da Glória; Anibal Graça; Luísa Carvalho; Luís Varela; Jessica Sacramento; Ugochukwu Nwachukwu; Lurdes Viana; António Vaz; e Geraldina Sacramento.

Middle Row: António Pontes; Dias Marques; Arlindo Carvalho; Conceição Agati; Emanuel Costa; Rafael Barros; Olinto Costa; e Nelson Pereira.

Back Row: Eliseu Xavier; Valdimir de Almeida; Martinho Santos; Menuel Sacramento; e Adam Kis.

Colleagues not appearing in the picture: Hélder Varela; Jordão das Neves; Vadler Managem; Fredibel Umblina; Aidov Caissa; Ernestina Maia; Ondina Sousa; e Ana Maria Ferreira; Justino Graça.

Novo Destino’s New Face

2008-01-09T11:56:00.000Z

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

Year End Message

2007-12-24T10:05:00.000Z

The year of 2007 presented itself as a challenge to the Adventist Development and Relief Agency in Sao Tome and Principe. After a 2 year successful malaria fight program, where ADRA was able to raise awareness for the use of mosquito nets to over 90% of the population and through social marketing strategies bring mosquito nets into 52% of the households, our malaria fight objectives had been reached and even if we would continue to support to the national malaria strategy, our attention had to be refocused on other priorities.
Facing change and building on our strengths: community development, maternal and child health care and strong communication strategies, was the motto for the New Year.
Our local partners and our donors, such as the ADRA network, the American and Finish Governments, Chevron, individuals, were included in this strategic change of our operations, and we received the confirmation of their trust and nearly doubled the funding received in the previous year, and reaching the historical mark of half a million dollars for our development objectives. The agency was able to invest in training for national health personnel, NGOs and communities; provide clean water and basic sanitation for many; partner with women giving them a chance to start prosperous businesses; provide access to new and better equipped health facilities to isolated communities; strengthen local small organizations and reinforce partnerships; and for the first time in Sao Tome having a purely HIV/AIDS project in the country, in an area we believe will bring added value to the national strategy.
We are now looking ahead to next year’s challenges, knowing that even greater change is to come, but also knowing that those will bring greater opportunities to serve.

Thank you for your interest and support,

Emanuel G. da Costa
Country Director
ADRA Sao Tome and Principe

Health Care for All in Caué

2007-12-11T11:55:00.000Z

The last day of October was a day filled with hope for a third of the population of the most isolated district of the island of Sao Tome, Caue. Out of the 3 administrative health areas of the district, only the population of the region of Ribeira Peixe didn’t have access to permanent health services, having to travel for long distances or wait several days for treatment. Through the contribution of the AWARE project (http://www.aware-rh.org/) in Sao Tome and Principe, funded by USAID and implemented by ADRA, it was possible to inaugurate the Health Post of Ribeira Peixe.
The opening of the Health Post was anticipated with excitement by the population, health authorities and the central government, all of whom were represented at the ceremony at the highest levels.
The district health delegate’s excitement for the quality of work accomplished was visible in his words, “… I hope that in the near future, the central hospital in Angolares will shine as brightly as this health center. Entering the facility, one would think that he is in a first world country …”
The donor was represented by a local US Embassy representative, the USAID West Africa regional office, and a regional AWARE representative. Dr. Fatimata Diabate, representing the AWARE/USAID delegation, manifested her satisfaction for the outcomes achieved by the project in Sao Tome and Principe and the excellent collaboration between the project and the national and district health authorities.
After thanking USAID, AWARE and ADRA, the minister of Health, Dr. Arlindo Carvalho, closed the ceremony by appealing to the good relations and strong collaboration between the health personnel and the community.
This ADRA project’s ongoing activities include renovating 1 Hospital, 2 Health Centers, and 8 Community Health Posts; training and equipment will be provided to health personnel and communities in a combined strategy to increase the access and quality of Health services in Caue and the Island of Principe.

ADRA STP Page Ranking

2007-10-14T16:44:00.000Z

According to Techweb.com page ranking defines as "...the priority given to the placement of a link on the results page of a Web search." ADRA STP is proud to present a site report given by Netcraft.com the page rank of 6,147,835. We are hoping to increase the web popularity in order to promote awareness to fight poverty and promote development in Sao Tome and Principe.

AWARE Reinforces Local NGO's

2007-08-27T14:44:00.000Z

Reinforcing the capacity of local NGO's was built into the scope of the AWARE Project, which is funded by USAID and implemented by ADRA-STP. "While there is a considerable number of NGO’s (81) registered in the National Federation of NGO’s (FONG), one of the major setbacks in the fight against poverty and promotion of development in São Tomé and Príncipe is the reduced number of NGO’s with capacity to implement effective programs, especially in the health sector," writes Emanuel G. Costa, Country Director for ADRA-STP and one of the primary authors of the AWARE Project. To address this, the AWARE project organized three training sessions for local NGO's in August: one in Project Proposal, one in Monitoring and Evaluation, and one in Financial Management. More than 25 local NGO's sent representatives to the training sessions. AWARE contracted several professional consulting agencies to conduct the trainings, which were attended by over 30 people on most days.

But reinforcement of capacity doesn't stop with trainings. "I am very happy to announce that we will be entering into partnership with four local NGO's as a result of these trainings," writes Dr. Adam D. Kiš, AWARE Project Director. "We have set aside funds within our budget to be awarded as subgrants to local NGO's, who will use the funds to help achieve specific AWARE Project objectives, such as constructing community health posts. Now, because of the training sessions provided by AWARE, these NGO's have been empowered to write good proposals and will have practical opportunities to practice good financial management and monitoring and evalution through implementing their subgrant activities."

At the end of the final training session, a certification ceremony was held to acknowledge the efforts and accomplishments of all involved. The ceremony was covered in the news by the national television company, and this news coverage can be viewed in the video clip at the top of this blog entry. If the embedded video is not working, you can click here to view it in a separate browser window.

NOTICE: This video clip was purchased by ADRA-STP (the Adventist Development and Relief Agency – São Tomé e Príncipe) with USAID/AWARE funds (the United States Agency for International Development/Action for West Africa Region Project) from TVS (Televisão Sãotomense), the national television company of São Tomé e Príncipe. ADRA-STP wishes to give full credit to TVS for filming all parts of the video clip, and for cropping, deleting, editing, narrating, and otherwise formatting the final content of this video clip.

AWARE Project Receives Donation

2007-07-05T13:56:00.000Z

ADRA STP's AWARE-RH Project (Action for West Africa Region - Reproductive Health) recently received a large donation of medical equipment (valued at nearly $25,000) from the AWARE-RH headquarters. Funded by USAID (US Agency for International Development) and implemented through AWARE-RH and EngenderHealth, ADRA STP's AWARE-RH Project aims to rehabilitate sagging health clinics, construct new clinics in areas without one, and boost the quality of healthcare received through providing health skills refresher training and sustainable employment to health clinic workers.

This shipment is the final piece of the puzzle that enables the AWARE-RH Project to inaugurate and open the Ribeira Peixe Health Post, which was built many years ago, but languished without the finishing touches necessary to operate. Part of this shipment will also go to bolster the functionality of Hospital Dr. Manuel Quaresma Dias da Graça, the only hospital on Príncipe island. "We are deeply grateful for this generous donation," writes the AWARE-RH Project Director for ADRA STP, Dr. Adam D. Kiš. "This equipment is very badly needed in our intervention areas, and we would have had to pay exorbitantly for what we received as a free gift instead."

10,004 Website Visits

2007-07-03T21:53:00.000Z

ADRA STP website started around November 8, 2006 with an "Under Construction" sign. As the months progressed, we kept track of who placed a mark on our map. Each time a new dot was placed on the map overwhelmed us with happiness.

As of today, July 3, 2007, ADRA STP website is proud to announce 10,004 visitors and would like to thank all those who have made this happen. In commemoration of this event, we have created a new look to make your next visit more memorable.

The image that is placed with this article, is the official print screen image of our valued 10,004 visitors to our website. Again, we thank you for making this happen. We hope to see you with us soon and we appreciate your comments/suggestions. You can comment by either commenting on our articles or signing our guestbook.

STP welcomes new project director

2007-05-16T16:26:00.000Z

ADRA STP announces the arrival of the Project Director for the AWARE project, part of a regional USAID/AWARE program. “We are delighted to welcome Adam, his wife Kristi and their son Zachary into the ADRA STP family. Adam has the skills to successfully lead our main project and contribute greatly to the overall mission of our office.” says Emanuel Costa, country director for ADRA Sao Tome and Principe.

Adam and his family - first day in Sao Tome

Adam Daniel Kiš, the new Project Director for the USAID/AWARE health project in São Tomé and Príncipe, has previously worked in Benin with Adventist Frontier Missions (student missionary), Malawi with the University of Florida (Master’s research on AIDS), and Guinea (Conakry) with ADRA (Deputy Country Director and HIV/AIDS Technical Assistant) and the University of Florida (doctoral dissertation research on AIDS). Adam received his Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Florida in May 2007. Adam has also taught anthropology courses as a contract teacher at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. His wife, Kristi, grew up in Malawi for 13 years as a missionary kid; their 21-month-old son, Zachary, will be the fourth generation family member to grow up overseas while his parents work for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. “We are excited to be here in São Tomé and Príncipe and are eager to work for ADRA,” Adam writes. “We look forward to collaborating with local officials to achieve the goals of the AWARE project and to increasing the capacity of people living and working in Caué and Príncipe to serve their communities better.”

Promoting Beans

2007-05-02T13:57:00.000Z

As a response to ADRA's rural Magazine, “Actividade Rural”, three communities started a pilot experience with beans production.

Small farmer signing a contract and taking ownership over the intervention

“Actividade Rural” is a quarterly, high quality, glossy magazine, published since June 2004, with its main objective the promotion of the exchange of information between small farmers in the rural communities of Sao Tome and Principe. This intervention is completed by a National Radio program and provides field technical support to small farmers. This intervention is financed by ADRA Canada (http://www.adra.ca/).

The interest created in several small farmers, as a response to articles published in magazine Number 7, led ADRA to choose 3 neighbor communities to be supported (Plancas Primeira, Plancas Segunda and Santa Luzia) with around 25 Kg of been seeds. This will cover a total cultivated area of 4 hectares with a potential production of 1.5 Tones of beans. The actual price of beans is around USD 1.9 per kilogram, having an attractive potential income for the farmers involved. If this experience is well succeeded it will be enlarged in amount of support and in number of communities involved.

The most recent magazine, covering the months of April to June 2007, promotes and teaches techniques to improve the cultures of avocado and peanut; equally are promoted the use of vitamin A, the protection of the environment and apiculture. In the first quarter of 2007, 94 workshops were held and 24 communities benefited from technical expertise, over 1800 persons participated in the ADRA program during that quarter.

Worker's Day at ADRA

2007-05-02T11:18:00.000Z

May 1st, the International Worker’s Day or Day of the International Solidarity of Workers, was marked by a tea party, promoted by the Event Committee of ADRA STP.

As the representative of the Event Committee, Conceição Agatti, explained in the opening speech, “… the objectives of this tea party are to promote the unity between coworkers so we can be not only colleagues but an ADRA family.”

ADRA STP Event Committee

The event was held in a brand new ADRA compound space, an open hall with multipurpose objectives such as recreation, workshops and meetings.

ADRA STP coumpound - the red circle identifies the new multipurpose space

President of ADRA Int.Testifies Before the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee

2007-04-03T08:36:00.000Z

On March 21, 2007, Charles Sandefur, president of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International, testified before the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Sandefur’s testimony highlighted the need for continued U.S. funding of food security programs around the world.
Sandefur appeared before the Senate committee as chair of the Alliance for Food Aid. Founded in 2006, the Alliance is a group of U.S.-based private voluntary organizations and cooperatives (PVOs) actively involved in food security initiatives in 120 countries. The Alliance’s fourteen members include ADRA, Africare, American Red Cross, Food for the Hungry International, International Relief & Development, Project Concern International, and World Vision.

For more information you may read the full article at: http://www.adra.org/site/News2?JServSessionIdr005=06c80lhea2.app14b&page=NewsArticle&id=7597&news_iv_ctrl=1141

Water for Novo Destino

2007-03-27T15:30:00.000Z

The World Water Day, celebrated on the 22nd March had as the theme for this year “Coping with Water Scarcity”.
Even if there are sufficient physical water resources in Sao Tome and Principe, the population face water scarcity as access to water is difficult and requires a great deal of effort in most of the country.

ADRA STP funded by Chevron Texaco JDZ, partnered with the community of Novo Destino, and through a massive participation of the community that leaded all components of the project, was able to bring clean water to the community through 2500 meters of pipes and two water tanks that collect water from a mountain set in the Rain Forest that surrounds the community.
The official opening of the water system was schedule for the World Water Day, and the occasion, which had large coverage from the media, was used to draw attention to the water problems felt in the country.
At the ceremony the leader of the community, Sr. Domingos, mentioned how crucial the long term partnership with ADRA has been and how important the involvement of the community as a leading part of the planning, management and implementation of the project was to the successful achievement of the objectives.
The ADRA country director, Emanuel Costa, mentioned the important role of the community and the very constructive partnership with the corporation ChevronTexaco JDZ, that maid possible the project. At the same occasion Emanuel Costa, announced the launching of two other components of the project in Novo Destino – Sanitation and the Health Post establishment. Those two new components were possible due to the involvement and committed work of the community.
Before inaugurating the Water system, Chevron Texaco director, Timothy Parsons, mentioned the importance of this water system in this community and the need the system has for maintenance so it may continue to serve the more than 250 persons living in this community.

To conclude the ceremony the community offered to all present a wonderful meal of cooked bananas and dry fish.
Other than the presence of all the members of the community at the inauguration, to highlight the participation of the Mayor of the District, the Water National Director, and national and international media (with coverage from TVS and RTP Africa).
The Integrated Project is also being implemented in the larger community of Monte Café and has several components: water, sanitation, health, education, roads, electricity, and agriculture and income generation. Each component is depending on the success of the previous and on the involvement of the community members.

Ending impunity for violence against women

2007-03-14T11:55:00.000Z

The International Women’s Day, March 8th, was celebrated in a very particular way in Sao Tome and Principe. To express their concern to the issues raised and support to the United Nations theme for this year “Ending Impunity for Violence Against Women and Girls”, many women and men participated in several marches, that ocurred in every distrit of São Tome and Principe.
ADRA STP, an active member of the National Committee for the 8th March 2007 to 8th March 2008 activities, coordinated by the Minister of Labour Solidarity Woman and Family, participated in the coordination of the events, supported its logistics and produced/financed the printing of 10.000 leaflets with information advocating for the end of impunity for violence against women and girls
The women and girls of the Project Developping Women’s Competencies, decided to state their position for this commemoration and more than 100 participate in the march of the district of Cantagalo. Their organized presence was noted and made a difference, as the Cantagalo Mayor, Mr. Jorge Dias Correia” stated: “ADRA is a close partner of our District. We thank the good work ADRA is doing in our communities”.

The Project Developping women’s and girls competencies is implemented in two Districts, Cantagalo and Caué, where we work with more than 500 women and girls, divided in 14 Associations. They are trained in more than 15 Health Themes, learn about women’s rights and participation in a democratic society, gain small businesses management skills; and each association is supported with an Income Generating Activity. The project is financed by the Government of Finland and the Finish ADRA office

Official Closing of successful Malaria Project

2007-02-26T12:30:00.000Z

On Friday 23, ADRA STP held the official closing ceremony of the Project: “Social Marketing of ITN’s for Sao Tome and Principe”.
This ceremony was officially opened by R. Barrie Walkley, Ambassador of the United Stated of America to Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe, and closed by the Minister of Health, Arlindo Carvalho. Both interventions focused on the crucial role the use of mosquito nets have in the fight against Malaria and the importance this intervention had in the reduction of Malaria cases in the country.
The main project activities was the subsidized distribution of 22500 Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets and 31000 impregnation kits for the existing non insecticide treated nets, this distribution was made trough a commercial network of over 40 outlets covering the all country, and in 6 of the Public Health network 7 districts.
The project also educated on the higher risk groups and protective behaviors against malaria. Some of the methods used were: dramatized presentations in over 72 communities, community workshops in over 120 communities, and workshops for specific professional groups every two months for over 2 years, the production of thousands of informative posters, leaflets, booklets, bumper stickers, and mass media campaigns in the radio and TV.
The more striking results of the final evaluation survey, showed that beside the significant increase in knowledge on the importance of using Insecticidal nets and of the higher risk groups concerning malaria, the program was able to put mosquito nets in 52% of the households in the country and making 92% of the population informed on the importance of the use of Mosquito Nets and informed of the certified Long Lasting Mosquito net used by the program.
During this program ADRA STP was the local implementing organization partnered with PSI (http://www.psi.org/) and worked in close collaboration with the CNE (Ministry of Health Malaria Program). This project was funded by the United States Department of State through its Embassy in Libreville.

For more pictures of this project go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/adrast/SocialMarketingLongLastingInsecticidalNetsFightingMalaria

ADRA STP member of the ALC

2007-02-19T14:06:00.000Z

ADRA Sao Tome and Principe Country Director, Emanuel Costa, returned Sunday 17th February from Kigali, Rwanda, where he attended the first ADRA Leadership Council (ALC).
Upon his return, Emanuel Costa, mentioned the importance of the opportunity given to ADRA STP to participate in this crucial event, which will contribute, to define the future of the international network up to 2012. ADRA will reinforce its positions as a high performance organization recognized for its high standard Community Development practices and its capacity to continue providing a rapid response in emergency situations.

For more information read the article “Rwanda President Attends Inaugural Session of ADRA Leadership Council” in www.adra.org:

http://www.adra.org/site/News2?JServSessionIdr001=3shq57t6t1.app14b&page=NewsArticle&id=7529&news_iv_ctrl=1141

Forty-two Families

2007-02-05T15:07:00.000Z

ADRA STP recently concluded forty-two latrines to benefit forty-two families in the community of Praia Melão. This investment in health and sanitation was possible through a US Embassy grant.
Praia Melão is situated at the south of the capital city of São Tomé and Principe and is mainly a fishing community. During the last country wide cholera outbreak, in Praia Melão alone were reported close to 4% of the total cases, accounting as one of the most affected communities in the country.
ADRA developed an adapted latrine due to the strong cultural resistance to use regular pit latrines. The ADRA latrines are provided with a water seal and are no longer called latrines but restrooms by the beneficiary families; many have improved their latrines with toilet seats or floor tiles.
Soon after the Cholera outbreak ADRA STP started to build these culturally adapted latrines in Praia Melão and the Community of Saudade. With the support of UNICEF, the Canadian Embassy and ADRA Portugal, more than 150 latrines have been constructed to date by ADRA since the Cholera Outbreack.
You can see more pictures of this program visiting our GALLERY (FIGHTING CHOLERA folder) at http://www.adra.st/

The Police and the Nurse

2007-01-30T15:49:00.000Z

Last Friday morning, a police officer from Angolares, the capital town of the district of Caué, the poorest district of the Island of Sao Tome, followed and stopped Nurse Ana Maria, an ADRA STP worker.
Ana Maria is the responsible person for the ADRA project activities with women and girls in the district of Caué where she works directly with 6 women and girls associations, promoting health, education, income generating and women rights and participation in the society.
After the initial surprise for having been followed by the police – nurse Ana was informed that the Women and Girls from the ADRA supported association from the community of Ribeira Peixe had filled an official complaint and were requesting action from the police.
The reason for the complaint was that after the association organized a cleaning activity in the community, a person from the community defecated in one of the places that had been cleaned. The group decided to make a stand point, denouncing the situation to the police and making everyone know that they stand by new values and that the cleaning of their community protect them, their children and everyone else against diseases like cholera.
With the intervention of nurse Ana, the situation was resolved but the stand point was made and a clear message was sent, the women from Ribeira Peixe stand for hygiene practices.
The project - developing women’s and girls competencies - is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and ADRA Finland.

Small Libraries for Children

2007-01-25T19:25:00.000Z

On January 18, ADRA STP received a 20 ft. container filled with educational and other child related materials.
Among those:
- 480 boxes of educational books and magazines.
- Several volumes of didactic materials
- 110 boxes with new sport shoes from the brand “Status”
The materials were donated through ADRA Portugal by families and private companies.
The major activity to achieve will be the creation and amelioration of small libraries in schools in the districts of Caué, Cantagalo and Pagué (Principe). All other materials will be distributed to child support institutions and Primary schools from the rural areas.
In 2004 ADRA STP, implemented a similar project establishing 4 small libraries in Sao Tomé and 2 in the Island of Principe. After more than two years, all 6 small libraries continue functioning and providing access to books to hundreds of children’s.

ADRA office in Principe (test post)

2007-01-16T16:27:00.000Z

With around 6.000 persons and even fewer opportunities than their fellow countrymen of Sao Tome, the inhabitants of Principe face the same problems lived in Sao Tome aggravated by its extreme isolation.
ADRA STP has been active in the Island of Principe but with intermittent activities and without any possibility of following through its interventions.
With the support of AWARE-RH and with funding from USAID, ADRA will establish an office in the Island to serve as base for a Health System and Community Strengthening project.
The ADRA Project Administrator for Principe – Jordão da Neves – will represent ADRA and serve as a link with the central office in order to allow the agency to better respond to the needs and promote the development of the Island of Principe. Jordão das Neves has been serving for the last 4 years as the ADRA project coordinator for an Education project and has been appointed for other functions as serving as a Consultant linking the UNICEF Offices and the Implementing Partners at the Government level.
“The upcoming opportunity to open an office extending our activities in Principe is a dream we have been pursuing and that will finally allow us to truly be called ADRA Sao Tomé and Príncipe, … ,Principe is one of the most beautiful Islands in the Atlantic and we feel privileged to be able to support its development and its people.” said Emanuel Costa, country director of ADRA.