14 GIRLS
0 DOUBLE ORPHANS
ORPHAN CRISIS IN BRAZIL
It is estimated that more than 50 million people in Brazil live below the national poverty line. Malnutrition, inadequate housing and diseases are prevalent, contributing to serious problems for its citizens. According to most sources, Brazil has extremely high violent crime rates, such as murders and robberies. This violence is an increasing problem and a contributing factor of children’s destitution. Poor and rural communities lack policing and security, therefore, these areas have become a popular drug-and human-trafficking hub. Unfortunately, Brazil has a startling population of orphaned and abandoned children. It is estimated that there are 3.7 million orphaned children living in Brazil. These children are at risk of being recruited to gangs, forced into child labor and human trafficking rings. They need the immediate safety of homes like Rebecca Jenkins’ Home to protect them from the vulnerabilities they would otherwise face..
REBECCA JENKINS’ HOME
Rebecca Jenkins’ Home is under the leadership of the Brazilian Association of Christian Social Action (ABASC). This organization is a civil association of private rights, non-governmental, non-profit organization of social interest, founded on February 5, 1998. Rebecca Jenkins’ Home was set up to respond to the growing orphan crisis in Brazil, and give the most vulnerable children a place to grow, feel safe and fulfill their God give potential.
loved, and that they are not defined by their circumstances.
Serving Orphans Worldwide travels to every orphanage we partner with to ensure needs are legitimate and 100% of funds distributed goes to the livelihood of the children.
PROMINENT ISSUES
Gangs and Violence
Due to gang violence fueled by the drug trade, many children are born into compromising situations where physical and sometimes sexual abuse is a weekly occurrence.
Abandonment
Extreme poverty, illness, drug addiction and abuse are just some of the reasons parents abandon their children.
Destitution
Extreme poverty in certain areas of the country contribute to the plight of street children in Brazil.
HOME
EDUCATION
All the children are enrolled in school. Children in 1st-9th grade attend school on-site in their newly built school. Those in 10th grade and above attend private school off site, and take public transport. Hope house would eventually like to see all of their children complete school and successfully transition to college or a trade school.
FAITH
Jeremiah 29:11 is the theme verse for Hope House. They use this verse as a reminder and a moto. Their children are taught that they matter and fit into God’s plans and that their hope can be found in that fact. Director Angie Mcinvale Altamirano says this is what they are there to do, “to show them that hope, that one true hope, that is Christ Jesus.”
HEALTH
The children have access to proper medical care, and are always taken care of when they are sick. When a serious issue arises, they are taken to a hospital in the city. The children are served 3 nourishing meals a day, consisting of grains, dairy, vegetables and protein.