Brazil

Geography
 Brazilian Culture
 Mixture of African, Portuguese,
American Indian, and many other
tradition
 Music & Dance: Samba, Bossa
Nova, Capoeira
 Soccer (known as futebol): Brazil
won the World Cup in 2004
 Carnival
 Largest country in Latin America
 Only Portuguese-speaking country
in America
 Largest African population outside
Africa
 Much of Brazil is developed, but at
least 22% of population still lives
below poverty line
 Many serious social problems
FAVELAS
 Favelas are shantytowns that
surround every major city in Brazil
 Many people have no electricity or
running water
 They are often right next to wealthy
neighborhoods
 Building Houses in the
favela
 Volunteers from the U.S., Japan,
Jordan, Estonia, and Nicaragua
worked together to construct new
homes
The Finished Product
Street Kids
 There are millions of children living
on the streets in Brazil
 They use drugs and prostitute
themselves to survive
 Many children choose to leave
their troubled homes and families
for the street
Glue Sniffing
 Glue is cheap and accessible
 It kills brain cells, creating a dizzy,
euphoric effect
 It dulls hunger pains
What’s the solution?
 Social workers reach out to the
kids through street education
 Provide support and affection
 Offer the children a safe and
nurturing living space
Capim de Cheiro Farm:
A new life for kids
Volunteering
 Provides direct relief from poverty
 Stimulates personal growth and
development
 Facilitates cross-cultural
cooperation and understanding