“Memories from São Tomé e Príncipe”

Ataíde’s Hands and Memory

The “Memories of São Tomé e Príncipe” were born within a Design and Social Economy project: SEED 2006. The project, which was financially supported by the Portuguese Cooperation, was developed by the Designer Pedro Alegria in partnership with the NGO Santa Casa da Misericórdia de São Tomé e Príncipe, through the manager of the Ossobô EcoSocial component, Patrick de Carvalho.

The usb flash disks, unknown for the craftsmen, soon became a symbol of the Project, not only because it blurred the borders between such different worlds, by merging traditional techniques, new technologies, sustainability and Design, but also because it showed the potential of these craftsmen, to be found in the Equator’s line. The idea of creating wooden USB pens also intends to challenge the traditional concepts of cooperation and social responsibility, by showing companies and other institutions innovative ways of contributing to human development.

São Tomé e Príncipe is the second smallest African country with around 150.000 inhabitants. It’s a West African Country located in the Equator’s line by the Gulf of Guinea.

www.seed2006.org - For more information about the project.