SOS Children in Brazil
Brazil has a population of 180 millions (three times more than the UK) and an area of 3.3 million square miles (37 times more than the UK). It is the largest country in Latin America and ranks sixth in the world. It is one of the world’s great economic powers and yet poverty and destitution are widespread with 54 million people living below the poverty line, particularly in the huge slum areas in the major cities and industrial areas. Daily per capita income is about £5 - one tenth of the income in the UK. Although the child mortality rate has fallen, it remains disproportional to national production capacity and available technology. In addition, UNICEF estimated that in 2005 there were 3.7 million orphans.
SOS Children’s Villages began working in Brazil in 1967 when the first SOS Children’s Village opened at Porto Alegre in the south of the country. Since then, fourteen more SOS Children’s Villages have been built, the latest being at Igarussu in the north-east of Brazil which opened in 2007. Altogether SOS Children in Brazil cares directly for over 1,700 children in 180 family homes. In many villages SOS Children built and ran SOS Primary Schools for the local community. In 2003 these were handed over to the local education authorities.
As well as the fifteen SOS Children’s Villages, SOS Children has 26 SOS Social Centres attached to the villages which help the wider community. These provide day care, including nursery school education, for vulnerable children. In addition SOS Children helps vulnerable children and their families with family strengthening programmes, provides respite and temporary accommodation and care for maltreated and destitute minors including street children
Bahia originally opened in 1980. It was rebuilt on a new site in 1999 as the original site was threatened by landslides. It is home to 117 children in 13 family homes. In addition there is an SOS Social Centre, which opened in 2001 which provides day care to 390 children of the local community.
Brasilia, opened in 1968, is home to 126 children in 14 family homes.
Caico, opened in 1978, is near Rio Grande do Norte. It is home to 135 children in 15 family homes.
Goioere, opened in 1977, is home to 108 children in 11 family homes.
Igarussu, opened in 2007, is home to 126 children in 14 family homes. There is also an SOS Social Centre, which opened in 2006 which provides day care to 150 children of the local community.
Jacarepagua, opened in 1980, is one of two projects in Rio de Janeiro. It is home to 126 children in 14 family homes. In addition there is an SOS Social Centre, which opened in 1996 which provides day care to 350 children of the local community.
Joao Pessoa, opened in 1987, is near Paraiaba. It is home to 126 children in 14 family homes. In addition there is an SOS Social Centre, which opened in 1993 which provides day care to 340 children of the local community and gives basic health care to the local community.
Juiz de Fora, opened in 1980, is home to 99 children in 11 family homes. In addition there is an SOS Social Centre, which opened in 1990 which provides day care to 184 children of the local community.
Manaus, opened in 1994, is in the Amazonas Region. It is home to 124 children in 13 family homes. In addition there is an SOS Social Centre, which opened in 2002 which provides day care to 160 children of the local community.
Pedro Bonita, opened in 1994, is the second of two projects in Rio de Janeiro. It is home to 99 children in 11 family homes. In addition there is an SOS Social Centre, which opened in 2004 which provides day care to 170 children of the local community.
Poa was the first village to be built near to Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest city. It opened in 1968. It is home to 144 children in 13 family homes. In addition there is an SOS Social Centre, which opened in 2002 which provides day care to 200 children of the local community.
Porto Alegre opened in 1967 and was the first in Brazil. It is one of two projects in Rio Grande do Sul and is home to 108 children in 12 family homes.
Rio Bonito was the third village to be built near to Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest city. It opened in 1980. It is home to 99 children in 11 family homes. In addition there is an SOS Social Centre, which opened in 1986 which provides day care to 370 children of the local community.
Santa Maria, opened in 1980, is the second of two projects in Rio Grande do Sul. It is home to 81 children in 7 family homes. In addition there is an SOS Social Centre, which opened in 2004 which provides day care to 300 children of the local community.
Sao Bernardo was the second village to be built near to Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest city. It opened in 1970. It is home to 110 children in 11 family homes. In addition there is an SOS Social Centre, which opened in 1990 which provides day care to 270 children of the local community.
Local Contacts
SOS Children in Brazil:
Aldeias Infantis SOS Brasil
Rua Antonio Coelho
400-Vila Mariana
P.O. Box 14322
CEP: 04011-061 Sao Paulo
SP
Brazil
Tel: +55/11/55 74 81 99, +55/21/25 37 13 41
Fax: +55/11/55 79 95 51
e-mail: luisa.marinheiro@aldeiasinfantis.org.br
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