Brazilians
For 19 years, Lana has carried the nation of Brazil in her heart, while staying faithful to what God had placed in her hands, the nation of Thailand. This year, God took Brazil, put it on the table and said: “The time has come for the children of Brazil.”
For years, Thailand has been ranked #1 in the world for exploitation of children under 18, including children that were trafficked, involved in prostitution, sexually abused or trapped in forced labor. Brazil has come in at #2 and India at #3. But after everything we’ve recently seen in northern Brazil and in some of the favellas (communities) in Rio, we truly believe these rankings are wrong! While Thailand may very well have earned its position at #1, we believe Brazil has now surpassed it. As our team traveled across northern Brazil, we heard their stories, each one more devastating than the last.
In northern Brazil, little girls sell their bodies for a mere 5-10 reais (the equivalent of $ 1.50-$ 2.50 USD).
In one region, we were told 1-2 children commit suicide, every month, due to poverty, bullying at school and often, because of the abuse they face at home.
And in some communities, people rejoice when a young girl comes of age, because they know they will receive more money from her body.
Brazil
Life Impact Brazil
But there’s HOPE!!! We knew in early January, that the time had officially come to launch Life Impact Brazil and take down the giant of child exploitation! Several spy-trips later and we are well under way! Stay tuned in the months ahead, as we move forward in launching Life Impact Brazil!
Brazil’s
Hidden Heroes
During their initial spy-trips, our team encountered some hidden heroes, Brazilians, that are working tirelessly to fight against exploitation and rescue children involved in prostitution within their own nation! With our help, they could further their impact and help countless more vulnerable and exploited children!
Knowing that, we had to step up and we have already started to partner with some of these incredible people! At this time, we have officially partnered with one precious woman, Mama Rosa, and as we speak, we are helping to build her rescue shelter! In addition to that, we have strategically located our next partner and together, we will build a Safe Home, as well as a HOPE Prevention Center in northern Brazil!
Mama Rosa’s Story
Mother Theresa said,
“If you can’t feed 100 people, then feed just one!”
We are starting with the one… one safe home, one at-risk community, one slum, one city, one child!
Thank you for starting with us in Brazil!
We are going to make history in that nation and eradicate child exploitation in our generation!