The
Republica Democratica de Sao Tome and Principe (R.D.S.T.P.), with its overall
population of just 219,161 (2020), is made up of the volcanic islands of Sao Tome (860 km2) and of
Principe (104 km2) as well as some small, mainly unpopulated rocky offshore
islands some 150 miles off the coast of Gabon. The island of Principe, with a population of just 5000,
has been autonomous
within this arrangement since 1995. Following independence from Portugal on
12th July 1975, the Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe became
the country's only allowed political party until the constitution of 1990
which allowed for multi-party elections with the country's first free
elections being held in 1991.
Until recently Sao Tome and Principe was reliant on cocoa for 95% of its exports and used
that income to buy in food given that it cannot grow enough of its own to
support its population. In recent years its cocoa output has dropped due to
droughts and mismanagement. The country is now attempting to diversify its
economy with oil exploration following recent discoveries in the Gulf of
Guinea however that is leading to political tensions with many concerned the
islands will become a dumping ground for oil waste and contamination as is
evident across the Niger Delta. There are very few child sponsor programs in Sao Tome and Principe, not least because of its small population, however those that do exist work with orphans and improving access to education for children from the poorest families. You can help when you sponsor a child in Sao Tome and Principe.
Child Sponsor Sao Tome and Principe: Canossiana
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Child Sponsor Sao Tome and Principe: Volunteer in Sao Tome and Principe
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