Brava: A Family's Struggle and the Survival of a Business Amid the Harsh Reality of Infrastructure and Government Support Deficiencies

The dream of Italian Marco Agostino Giandinoto to live and raise a family on Ilha Brava began in 2012, when, after more than two years of hard work, the hotel was finally opened. However, from the beginning, the journey that followed has been marked by numerous obstacles that the family has tried to face with courage, but over the years, these challenges have become unsustainable.

One of the first issues to arise was the lack of water, one of the most essential resources for the hotel's operation. The company responsible for water distribution, Aguabrava, failed to ensure a constant and adequate supply, forcing the family to take drastic measures. "We had to buy water several times through private trucks, with incalculable economic losses. And the company never cared or showed any empathy," says the hotel manager. This water shortage issue became a daily burden, damaging both the business and the quality of life of the owners.

More than ten years later, in 2025, the situation has only worsened. The lack of infrastructure and Aguabrava's inability to provide a regular water supply remain persistent issues, and the family was forced to cancel client bookings and, for the first time, temporarily close the hotel. The reason? The only tanker truck responsible for water supply to the island is damaged, with no quick repair forecast. The lack of immediate solutions and the company's lack of empathy reflect the neglect and abandonment faced by the island's residents daily.

This scenario is not unique. There is a widespread sense of powerlessness and frustration among Ilha Brava's inhabitants, who no longer know what to expect from local and national authorities. The Cape Verdean government frequently promotes campaigns about foreign investments in the country, highlighting the advantages of investing in Cape Verde. However, the reality on Ilha Brava raises serious questions about the viability of such investments. "Under what conditions and with what guarantees should an investor make investments here?" asks the hotel owner. Deficiencies in inter-island transportation, basic services like healthcare, water, and electricity, and growing social inequality are issues that seem to be ignored by the authorities.

This family’s story is, therefore, a reflection of a broader problem faced by many inhabitants of Ilha Brava and Cape Verde in general. The lack of sustainable solutions and effective support from the authorities has created an unsustainable situation, where residents find themselves increasingly isolated and frustrated. "We decided to live here out of love for Ilha Brava, but after twenty years of neglect and disregard by the authorities, we are fed up and disgusted. Every problem we face is repeated more aggressively every day," says Giandinoto.

This ongoing cycle of problems has affected not only the local economy but also the mental and emotional health of the residents. The stress caused by constant concerns about basic life issues, such as water supply, has generated serious health problems among the locals. The question that remains is: "Is it humanly possible to continue living like this? Is it sustainable?"

The challenge is even greater when one observes the lack of mobilization from the local population to demand change. "The time has not yet come for the people of Brava to behave like a true community, standing together. Why do the people of Brava continue to complain, but when they come together to protest, everyone hides?" they ask. The lack of a coordinated response to the crisis has contributed to the perpetuation of the problems afflicting the island.

Ultimately, the big question echoing among Ilha Brava's inhabitants is: "What will be the future of Brava? Will this island have a future, or is it simply destined to disappear slowly?" These questions reflect a deep concern for the island’s survival, which, despite its natural beauty, seems to be increasingly forgotten by the authorities and neglected in terms of investments and infrastructure.

The struggle of a family and the inhabitants of Ilha Brava continues, but time is running out. Without a quick and effective response from the competent authorities, Ilha Brava risks losing what makes it unique: its community, its culture, and its potential to thrive.