What We Are Doing - How and Why
One in every six people in the world live in slums (or favelas as they are called in Brazil). In the north-east of Brazil, poverty is rampant and favelas surround all cities. There is high unemployment, low life expectancy and poor sanitation. There are millions of abandoned street children and millions of others who have some kind of home but are at still at high risk. These children have a lack of education, housing, healthcare and nutrition. Most significantly they have no hope that their lives can be any better than their parents.
In order to survive children often resort to theft, drug abuse, prostitution and gang violence. The lives of these children, their families and friends are full of bad news, fear and misery.
The consequences of this kind of life on a child are devastating
Hungry, grieving, un-protected, victim of physical abuse, thirsty, dirty, injured, vulnerable, un-loved, no dignity, lack of self-confidence, bullied, feeling worthless, lack of sleep, victim of violence, no hope, lack of security, victim of sexual abuse, no motivation for learning, under pressure, no one to trust, victim of crime, illiterate, no dreams, nowhere to play, physically weak, victim of trauma, un-cared for, malnourished, un-supervised, moving from home to home, fearful, desperate, high risk of death before the age of 5.
Our work is all about offering a pathway out of poverty to these children. With 25 years of experience of working in Brazil, our programs are designed to support families and build stronger communities.
We want to prevent the circumstances that lead kids to the streets and help them before they become street children.
Our vision is that the children we work with will become
inspiring future leaders and change makers, in their community, their
city and their nation.