River Laundry

In the lead photo, the woman in the center of the picture is trying to coax me into the river to help with the laundry. They were a cheerful, rambunctious group. The young mother in the second picture saw us with a camera and was certain we'd want a picture of her baby.

In country on business, my associates and I were strongly impressed by the people we met.
The culture is rich and noble, despite the country's comparative poverty. The people are warm, generous, hard working, and generally honest. The children are literate, education being a national priority. Few go hungry. There is virtually no crime or violence. Self-government is about 30 years old; independence from Portugal came in '75, but close ties still exist.

Other countries provide assistance to this developing nation. We met staff members from the Taiwanese medical mission; since they arrived about 12 years ago, malaria infestation in the local population is down from 70%+ to around 3%. Eradication is the target, but is more difficult to achieve as the parasite adapts to new meds. The mission has provided education, medication, and preventative measures like mosquito netting for beds. Typhoid and hepatitis A are prevalent as well.

UNICEF and others have begun the battle against AIDS, estimated here to be at around 1.5% of the population having been exposed.

On the horizon... oil revenues, extensive interaction with other African nations, an increasingly mobile population, powerful external influences, and more. Such things have caused great upheaval elsewhere. The local government is working furiously to make the transition with their civilization and values intact. International awareness and involvement helps.

Population: around 200,000, or about the size of a San Antonio suburb.
The country: Sao Tome and Principe, a beautiful island group on the equator west of Angola.
The country's prospects: The next few years will be critical.