The islands are very much dependent on income from its cocoa exports and, as such, are vulnerable to fluctuations in the markets being dependent on those revenues to buy in food as the islands are far from being self sufficient. Around one-third of the inhabitants live on less than US$ 1.9 per day, and more than two-thirds are poor, based a poverty line of US$ 3.2 per day not least because most are plantation workers without their own land so cannot be subsistence farmers rather relying on others to sell the produce at a cost that will make up their wages. There are charity projects in Sao Tome and Principe however they tend to be administered externally with funds sent to the islands.

If you run or know of a volunteer work project in Sao Tome and Principe let us know by contacting us here. We look forward to hearing from you!