The small nation of Cabo Verde often finds itself “squeezed” by larger geopolitical forces and events. With limited natural resources, its people have historically relied on subsistence farming and fishing to survive. Advances in medical care improved infant survival rates, but this stretched the country’s already limited resources. As a result, many men—and later, women—migrated overseas for work, supporting their families through remittances. However, this created new challenges, including strain on family relationships and children being pulled from school to help grandparents maintain family plots. Now, with many countries closing their doors to foreign labor, able-bodied workers are returning to a homeland with few economic opportunities.
While the government is actively working to transition Cabo Verde’s economy toward tourism, this transformation will take time. In the interim, Crossroads’ partner organization is stepping in to bridge the gap. The group focuses on preparing the younger generation through education and providing access to health and psychological care, ensuring they can take full advantage of future opportunities. Additionally, the NGO is working to retrain returning workers and replace outdated equipment in hospitals and schools.
This shipment will include a wide range of essential items, such as medical supplies and equipment, kitchen appliances for vocational training, school and office furniture, stationery kits, bed linens, footwear, bicycles, and computer equipment. And, of course, many toys will be included to brighten classrooms and bring joy to children’s lives.
Despite the small size of Cabo Verde’s islands, poor infrastructure and a lack of awareness about the importance of education in traditional farming communities mean that many children do not attend school. For families with limited income, expenses such as stationery, shoes, and transportation are often seen as unnecessary luxuries.
Crossroads’ partner organization has launched a campaign to address this issue by educating rural communities about the benefits of formal education and providing essential items to “left behind” children, such as lunchboxes, books, and bookbags.
Additionally, the organization has supplied modern learning materials to local schools, which has contributed to a significant increase in enrollment— approximately 500 more children registered for the new school year.
One of our partner’s key initiatives is the “Spreading Smiles” project, which provides medical care for underprivileged children while also organizing social events, counseling, and professional career coaching.
Crossroads’ shipment will include items such as sports equipment and musical instruments, enabling the expansion of this project into more communities.
Sinking boreholes and making use of the volcanic ash from Fogo Island (an active volcano in Cabo Verde) is helping to return previously depleted agricultural land to productivity in a sustainable manner.
A view of Praia, the capital of Cabo Verde
