In response to a cholera outbreak that struck São Tome and Principe in October of 2005, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is helping to control the outbreak by distributing disinfectants among the community, as well as promoting improved health and sanitation practices through campaigns that teach villagers how to prevent the transmission of this contagious disease.

ADRA has organized an awareness campaign among 50 rural community groups targeting 1000 women, focusing primarily on the districts of MéZochi and Caué. With this training, the women become health promoters in their communities, teaching people the same health and hygiene practices they have been taught.

“ADRA has extensive experience working with women’s groups and one third of the training will be done through women’s associations previously created by ADRA,” said Emanuel da Costa, country director for the ADRA São Tome and Principe office in São Tome.

Each woman will receive training on how cholera is transmitted, how it can be treated, and how to prevent it. They will also receive bottles of lye, which they will use to safely disinfect water, food, and any other potential contaminant. In addition, ADRA will distribute ten health education leaflets to each woman; one for her personal use, and nine additional leaflets to share among her community. ADRA will also perform a theatre play that will be performed in 24 communities to educate the community on the cholera outbreak.

The three-month project will directly benefit an estimated 5,500 residents on the island. It is funded by ADRA International and the ADRA office in Canada, and it is valued at more than US$14,000 (approx. 18,000 Swiss Francs). ADRA plans to continue the campaign against cholera with a second phase that will continue to improve awareness regarding sanitation and hygiene issues through women’s groups, as well as by constructing 200 latrines for families that are unable to afford their own.

As of January 1, nearly 30 people have succumbed to the disease, since the outbreak began three months ago, out of an estimated 1,849 severe cases that have been reported since its inception.

ADRA’s presence in São Tome and Principe started in 1992, and it became officially registered as a non-governmental organization (NGO) in São Tome and Principe in 1998, working primarily in the areas of preventive health care, agriculture, and education.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org