Welcome to Encontro com Deus!

The trauma of not being brought up by your own mother is something that no amount of toys, clothes, or food can substitute. A child without its own mum grows with enormous difficulties and without hope.

At least 90% of “orphans” in Brazil are in fact children victims of abuse or of extreme poverty. The traditional response has been to remove the child from risk by separating them from their parents and housing them in orphanages. This has led to generations of ex-orphans unable to enter into normal society. Brazilian authorities have recognized this with orphanages no longer permitted by law, with the last one being closed in our city in 2001. Children now have to be housed in family units.

The local authorities have been sending mums and children to our foster-homes since the year 2000. As they are housed together, a young mum no longer needs to be separated from her children, and the children do not lose their mum. They come away from the streets, drugs, or abusive family members, to a home where there is love. As soon as mum and child are out of danger the challenging process of re-adaptation into society must start. We have won acclaim for tackling this issue by offering low cost housing and continuing support to young families starting back into the real world.

God has given us the resources to give hope to these children. His love will restore the deepest of hurts and prevent a new generation of street children in Brazil.

We hope that you will be encouraged as you view these pages and we look forward to your contact!

Patrick and Iara Reason