Here are some video clips of our life in São Tomé e Príncipe. Simply click the "play" button for a clip to view it. It is highly recommended that you view these clips with a high-speed Internet connection only. An index is provided below to enable you to jump to the clip(s) you want to view. The clips are arranged in chronological order from bottom to top (so that the most recent clips are always at the top). If a video does not work properly in the embedded screen, try viewing it via the link below each clip (clicking on the word "here" will open a viewer in another browser window).
Rhinoceros Beetle – This big fella has a huge horn on his nose. He's called "rhinoceros" because of his size, too. Much larger than any cockroach I've ever seen.
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
Community Mobilization in Caué – Valdmir Almeida is our Community Mobilizer for Caué district. He visits communities that are participating in our project and acts as a liaison, sharing new project information with community members and relaying their concerns and questions to me.
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
Boca de Inferno – This is a seawater blowhole through lava rock about 30 minutes outside of São Tomé city. The seas are really rough and inspire a lot of respect when you imagine what could happen if you fell in!
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
Another ADRA Shoe Distribution – In the community of Io Grande in São Tomé (Caué district), ADRA distributed shoes to children. Only the women bothered to attend the distribution. The men were too busy playing cards. My colleague, Valdmir Almeida (walking toward the camera), is the AWARE Project Community Mobilizer for Caué.
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
Coconuts Anyone? – The little boy in the film climbed the coconut trees with no protection and dropped down the best ones.
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
Behold the Power of Nature – This river in Caué had been a clear, small stream only 30 minutes before when we had crossed it going the other direction. It had been raining all day, but nothing torrential. I guess the cumulative effect, however, was enough to launch a flashflood that uprooted trees and bamboo.
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
Church Choir – Every Sabbath, there is a different choir singing for our church – one of the perks of attending the Central Church (the main one in the country, affiliated with the headquarters). The harmonies are beautiful, reminiscent of southern Africa, which is where many Saotomeans trace their roots (Angola).
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
Palm Forest at Praia Banana – At the base of the cliff we descended (where we saw monkeys), a flat peninsula juts out into the sea, covered in a palm forest. One one side of the peninsula through this forest lies Praia Banana, the most beautiful beach in the world!
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
Monkey Near Praia Banana – I caught one monkey on film, leaping from the palm in the center of the screen to another one on the right.
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
Hiking Down to Praia Banana – Late afternoon paradise, looking for monkeys in the trees during our hike down to Praia Banana.
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
Panorama of Praia Banana – "A little corner of paradise," as Emanuel says on this clip.
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
Future ADRA Property? – This is an abandoned plantation that the government of Príncipe wants to give to ADRA for free to develop as we see fit. A college? An orphanage? A guest house? A restaurant/store? A retreat/conference center? The possibilities are endless.
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
More Driving in Príncipe – Another view of driving through the forest in Príncipe.
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
ADRA Shoe Distribution – These shoes, donated by ADRA Portugal, were distributed by Emanuel in São Joaquim, Príncipe.
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
Driving in Príncipe – Heading from Santo Antonio to São Joaquim, you pass through beautiful jungle scenery.
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
Panorama of Santo Antonio – The view from our hotel balcony in Príncipe. Notice how quiet the town is in the middle of a business morning.
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
Landing in Príncipe – A view out the cockpit window of the 12-seater plane that flies from São Tomé to Príncipe and back.
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
Driving from Home to Work – Hang on for dear life! This four minute drive goes over some suspension-shattering terrain.
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
ADRA Office – A 360 degree pan of the ADRA office compound in São Tomé.
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
Mud Fun! – What a blast to have a 4WD in a muddy rainstorm in Africa!
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
ADRA Power! – Our ADRA trucks are TOUGH. Check out this one pulling a load through the mud!
Click here to go back to the top of the page.
STP Video