The Mulheres de Vista Alegre Association dedicates itself to the transformation of natural and local resources and simultaneously to the comercialization of the final products. We need your help to grow our bussiness, which will, in turn, contribute to social development in the Roça Vista Alegre, to its population and to São Tomé.
The Mulheres de Vista Alegre Association dedicates itself to the transformation of natural and local resources and simultaneously to the comercialization of the final products. This business was born with the help of Santa Casa da Misericórdia with the objective of promoting employment in the Roça where there was, and still is, a lot of poverty and little financial resources to make the most of nature is offering. Therefore the ‘push’ given by Santa Casa da Misericórdia helped motivate agricultural work in the community and its consequent benefits.
WHERE?
The Vista Alegre Roça is situated in the Mé-Zóchi district, approximately 10km from the São Tomé city at an elevated point in the Island, offering priviledged views which explains its name which translates to “Joyful View”.
It is a very small community and quite isolated given the local and transport circumstances, and with low employability. Overall there are roughly 220 people living in the Roça, of which 130 are children (60%). Of the adult population, a majority is made up of women, who on average have 4 to 5 children. This demographic situation is evidently worrying in a population with little to no emplyment available.
Additionally there is little movement in the roça and it is very unknown both to local and to foreign visitors; this is the case despite the beautiful views and the colonial structures still being there and available to visit.
Secadores de Banana
WHAT WE DO
Currently, the Association produces dry banana, boxes and dolls made from banana tree leaves and mango, cajamanga and papaya compotes, Its main focus and most popular product is the dry banana whilst the remaining are custom-made upon order.
To allow the Association to grow and devlop, the capacity to produce has to increase to be able to respond to the market demand there has been in the past months which is not possible with the seven solar dryers- there is an urgent need for, at least, two more dryers!
