Brazil is the fifth-largest country in the world – both geographically and in terms of population.  It is truly massive, sharing borders with every other country in South America except for Ecuador and Chile.  The Amazon rain forest – recognized for having the greatest biological diversity on the planet – sprawls over the country’s northern half, with rugged mountains to the south. Despite its wealth of natural resources and beauty, Brazil suffers from staggering poverty, rising inflation, unemployment, and lack of social development.

These issues are especially pronounced in the Urebaba District of Curitiba, where many families lack the resources to provide for their children’s education and basic needs.  For this reason, a group of dedicated leaders set out to establish Recanto Esperança, a non-profit organization and center for integral development.  The center’s mission is to help area children and community members rise above the difficult socioeconomic circumstances from which they come, thus breaking the cycle of poverty.