The Open Hands Project works to offer proper houses to some of Brazil's many favela or slum dwellers in the southern Campo Largo region. Families are re-housed in a new community. The local council has donated several acres of land to the project and connects water, sanitation and electricity each time a house is completed. The local church offers vocational and life-skills training for the families as they embark on their new lives. This is not just bricks and mortar: this is a whole new life for Brazil's poorest - in keeping with the project's ethos: 'Taking the individual out of the slum, and the slum out of the individual'.

Our Involvement:

Mission Direct has been involved from the start of this project. It is working with local churches, the church organisation ABBA Social Promotion, along with the local authorities. We have signed a contract to build fifty houses, with project founder Samuel Santos as the master builder.

Outcomes:

- 15 houses have so far been completed. This means that 48 people have a completely new start in life.
- Mission Direct has bought a house for two Church workers to teach the children craft skills, music and literacy support. The house also operates as a worship centre.
- A church home group has been started with oversight from a local Pastor.

- The evangelistic 'Jesus' film is shown in the village to large crowds every Easter.

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- Volunteers have provided beds and mattresses for some of the neediest families, along with food packs.