On-Location in Brazil, Day 7

There is no shortage of children in need in Brazil.  In our ongoing efforts to provide hope, education, and opportunity to children all over the world, we are establishing a new project in Almirante Tamandare, Brazil.  In contrast to so many communities in Latin America who are deeply proud of where they are from, the community in Almirante Tamandare is so impoverished and plagued by social problems that members of the...

On-Location in Brazil, Day 6

If you ever find yourself in Curitiba in December, make sure you attend the Christmas celebration sponsored by HSBC bank.  This annual event is celebrating it’s 20th anniversary this year and we were fortunate enough to experience this magical display.  HSBC supports the efforts of organizations like ACRIDAS and Children,Incorporated and believes in partnering today for a better world tomorrow.  That is why every year...

On-Location in Brazil, Day 5

The rural community of Correia Pinto is located about twenty minutes outside the small town of Lages, Brazil. The self-proclaimed “paper capital of the world” is home to approximately 14,000 people. The majority of the population that has a job works in either the paper production sector or apple farming. Because many of the local jobs are seasonal in nature, unemployment is a major problem. The unemployment situation is...

Meet Joao Paulo

On our second day in Lages, we had the opportunity to experience first-hand the family situations of the children in the community.  Specifically, we had the pleasure of meeting Joao Paulo.  Like many teens in Brazil, Joao Paulo loves soccer and riding bikes.  He lives with his family of eight in a small, wooden, government-provided house of approximately 400 square feet.  The family has no indoor plumbing and only two...