The Republic of Cape Verde

THE COUNTRY

The Republic of Cape Verde is an archipelago situated in the Atlantic Ocean 500 km from the coast of Senegal and it consists of 10 volcanic islands of which 9 are inhabited. The population, 500,000 is distributed over the islands.
The Islands were discovered in 1460 by explorers Diego Gomes from Portugal and Antonio da Noli from Genoa, both at the service of the king of Portugal. Following discovery the islands saw the arrival of all manner of people, settlers from Italy, Portugal and Spain, slaves from Africa, civil and political prisoners, Jews fleeing the Inquisition. In 1975 Cape Verde obtained independence from Portugal and was governed for more than decade by PAICV Marxist party.
In 1991 the Movement for Democracy took power and Cape Verde became a democracy.
Because of widespread poverty caused by endemic drought and lack of work islanders have always emigrated. It is estimated that at least 700,000 Cape Verde citizens live outside their country, many in the United States.
Today Cape Verde produces a mere 8% of the needs of its people, the rest is covered by money sent home by emigrants and by international aid.
Cape Verde lack prime materials and suffers from process of desert spreading, similar to the Sahel region of mainland Africa.
Fishing was hitherto the main source of income, but tourism is opening new paths for development, although lack of infrastructures and constant drought are still a problem.

CAPUCHIN FRIARS CENTRE FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS
The Capuchin Friars Centre for Foreign Missions, which belongs to the Regular Province of Capuchin Friars, is the office which follows and co-ordinates missionary activity in Cape Verde as well as animating missionary impulse in Piedmont and elsewhere in Italy.
Piedmont Capuchin Friars have been in Cape Verde since 1947 and during the years they have undertaken a series of social and pastoral initiatives including: 700 homes for the poor; carpentry schools; 800 rain-water cisterns; Radio Nova 24 hours broadcasting all over the country; Terra Nova magazine; 25 children’s homes; courses in tourism-hotel management; collaboration with S. Felipe town (Fogo) for the realisation of micro-projects and most recently the St Francis Social, Health Centre and Hospital.
The Foreign Missions Centre with two offices Fossan and Turin, supported the realisation of various initiatives by organising a network of volunteers and benefactors thanks to whom these projects are achieved. (Fides Service 7/10/2003 EM lines 34 Words: 403)