CONTRACT

The Cape Verdean people have always relied on migration as a way to escape their fate. Although Cape Verdeans had been going to Sao Tome and Principe to work, massive immigration to the Island did not begin until the 1940's when Cape Verde were offered contracts by Portuguese landowners in Sao Tome and Principe to work in the coffee and cacao fields. Cape Verdeans were skilled in land cultivation, which was the primary resource of survival. Now that the rains had become scarce in Cape Verde, they accepted contracts to work in Sao Tome and Principe. The contracts, lasting a minimum of three years included passage by boat to San Tome and Principe, and a monthly wage. Workers signed, these three-year contract binding them to working conditions they were not aware of. Out of desperation came what appeared to be salvation for those interested in venturing out in search of a better life. The Islands of Sao Tome and Principe flourished with cacao, coffee, sugar cane, palm trees and other agriculture planted during the colonial era. In this new millennium when Portugal is in the Presidency of the European Union with a goal of establishing good ties with Africa, I strongly believe that Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Portugal should join forces and try to repair the injustice done without blame or accusations. Now is the time to ask for some of this wealth to be returned to the poor souls left behind! (...) Marina Pires has not seen her brother Valdemiro Andrade in 44 years (...) This is a story that needs to be told!

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YouTube | January 13, 2008

Tags:. .cacao. .scarce. .pires. .landowners. .millennium