The Fish Market and the Prison

It has been two weeks since we last posted but each week brings new experiences and a greater appreciation for the special people that live here on the Islands of Cape Verde.

It seems like every day we are running to the store for something. It is not always because we forgot to write it on the grocery list, but more often than not, it is because the item wasn’t there when we went shopping the day before. I found lemons the first two weeks that we were here, and then I waited for three weeks to find them again. This week I’ve searched in three different stores hoping to find cucumbers. Going shopping has its advantages, it gives us plenty of opportunities to meet people here in Cabo Verde. One evening  while standing in the checkout line, I started a conversation with an elderly woman. I soon found out that she was, Maria da Luz dos Santos, one of the first converts to the church here in Mindelo. She and her husband joined the church back in the early 1990’s and many of her 13 children are still strong in the gospel. That evening we helped her carry her groceries home. We found that she lived about two blocks from us.  She invited us to come back the next Monday to have Family Home Evening with them. We had a wonderful visit with her and her husband, Daniel, and their grandson, Marcos.  While conversing with them that night, I told brother Daniel (everyone calls them Papae  and Mamae)  that I would like to learn how to buy a fish down at the fish market. He told us that he would love to go with us down to the market. The next day we went on our first shopping trip to the fish market. It was so exciting. I was really grateful to have Papae  with us. There was so much noise and confusion with everyone shouting  to sell their fish to us. Having Papae  there was so helpful, he helped us to  know which fish to buy and what was a fair price. I am sure we would have paid a lot more if we had gone there alone. He offered to go with us whenever we are ready to go again.

A worker carving a large tuna at the fish market

Daniel dos Santos, our guide at the fish market.  He is holding a small tuna fish.  Note the larger fish in the background.

The Relief Society of the Mindelo First Ward.  Can you find the only person that needs to use sunscreen?

On Saturday, August 25th, we had our first meeting with the stake presidency.  We met for over two hours and discussed possible humanitarian aid projects for the community as well as possible welfare projects with the wards.  We continue to marvel at the dedication these people have for the Lord.  It is also impressive to see the influence that the Gospel has had in the lives of many members.

The Stake President, Cesar Fortes, has been serving for five years since the stake was formed and for several years before that in the district presidency.  He is forty two years old.  As a young man he served a mission to Portugal.  Upon his return home, he was accepted in the Perpetual Education Fund (PEF) and went on to receive his college degree.  Today he works for the Ministry of Education.  He has mentioned several times that President Hinckley was truly inspired to initiate the PEF.

One of the suggestions that President Fortes had for us was to visit the Prison and see if we could do a project for them.  On Tuesday he took us to the prison.   We met with the director of the prison and two of his workers that specialize in social work.  It was surprising to see how well the prison was organized but also unfortunate to see how little they have.  The most pressing need is toilets.  Currently over two hundred and fifty prisoners use bathrooms that essentially have holes in the floor and those holes are used for showers and human waste.  There is also a need for an updated infirmary.  It was also sobering to realize that the entire prison was placed on lock down while we toured the facility.  One of the highlights of the tour was a huge garden that uses a drip system.  The garden is maintained by the prisoners and the fruit and vegetables are eaten within the prison.  Several years ago the Church helped the prison create the garden and provided necessary materials including the irrigation piping.  Our emphasis this time will be on the toilets.  We could provide the materials and the prisoners and workers could do the installation.  We are working hard to get this project approved.

Flavio, a social worker, Graciano, the prison director, Vanda, the director of social work and reintegration, and President Fortes

Another amazing young man is Nataniel.  He has been a member of the church for a little over a year and just turned 26.  In July he received his call to serve a full time mission in Brazil.  He will enter the MTC in São Paulo in November.

On Friday he stopped by our apartment and took us up the hill to see his house.  At the age of 17 he was left alone but he was determined that he would not live on the streets.  He found a vacant spot on one of the hills in Mindelo and started to build a home.  With a pick and a large metal bar he gradually started to carve a niche out of the rock.  He also obtained old metal drums which he cut in half up and down.  He then flattened out the metal.  With wood from abandoned pallets he was able to frame up the house and then attach the flattened metal drums.  Over the course of nine years he now has a home and a chicken coop.  He was also able to obtain electricity and water. 

Nataniel, center, on the side of his house. 

Inside Nataniel's Home

Nataniel adding more room behind his home.

Nataniel's home from the front.  Note the chicken coop on the left.

When Nataniel returns from his mission, he plans to buy the property from the city.  While he is on his mission, his friend, Elton, (also in the pictures) will live in his home and take care of the chickens.