Brazil, 2009 

Maria Emília was looking for new opportunities when she left Bahia state in northern Brazil and came to Sao Paulo, the land of dreams for many people who move there to find employment and opportunity not available in their native villages.

Maria Emília, her two sisters and their children, escaped from abusive husbands in search of that better life.  After her move, Maria Emília married again creating a combined family of seven children ranging from three years old to teenagers. They survive by scrounging for paper, aluminum cans and scrap iron to sell. Unfortunately, Maria Emilia and her new husband are alcoholics and spend most of their meager earnings on beer and other drinks, leaving the children to suffer.

Fortunately, a 3-year-old daughter, her brother, and a cousin, all under five years old, found a place at the Zion’s Hope Day Care Center, a project supported by Outreach International. One day the staff met Thaíse, the family’s pre-teen older sister, who came to lead the little children home. The staff conscientiously asked several questions, because they do not allow children to be responsible for other children in this way, and because they knew about the addiction of the parents. Thaíse was friendly, and was impressed with the way that Karim Frohmut, the director’s daughter, worked with the children.

Soon, Thaíse was running away from home every day, spending all day at the center, watching over her younger brother and sister who were well fed and cared for, and interacting with the staff. This is a big contrast for Thaíse, who cannot attend school for lack of clothing and fees, and often has to live off of money she earns from selling discarded cans.

Thaíse’s greatest fear is when her mother and step-father are “high” on drink. Alcohol is a big problem for many families. Parents imprisoned for drug trafficking is another major problem, and very few children have the advantage of two parents at home. This makes it very difficult for children to get the head start they need in school, without a support system and caring people such as the Day Care Center staff. And without outside funding through Outreach International donors, 90% of the 95 children would be unable to attend.

But for Thaise and her sister and brother, the Center is more than just a head start; it is a stabilizing force in their lives. For Thaise especially, it has offered her the opportunity to see beyond her current family situation, and has offered her the hope that she, too, can have a life of her dreams.