Brazil – ICC / ADRA Partnership


In the summer of 1995, Pastor Daniel dos Santos became aware of ICC’s model of care for orphaned and abandoned children. At the time, Pastor dos Santos served as director of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) for the Central Sao Paulo Conference in Brazil. ADRA had started an orphan care project in Brazil using a similar philosophy and model as ICC’s. Since they were just beginning and ICC had been around for quite a few years by then, it was Pastor dos Santos desire to work together.

Pastor dos Santos asked if ICC would consider helping them find sponsors and give advice to this project when needed. Towards the end of 1996, ICC administration made a trip to Brazil to visit the Grandma Josephina Orphanage. After the visit, it was decided that ICC would help where possible. Since then, ICC has provided some assistance and counsel regarding operational funding and guidance in children's services. ICC serves as the umbrella organization for receiving and transferring funds and also manages the sponsorship program.

During the past few years the number of children in the Grandma Josephina Orphanage has decreased. Some of the children have become independent and others have been returned to extended family members. Of the children who remain in this project, most are pursuing college course work or are finishing up their secondary education. The plan is to phase out the care of orphans in this facility.

However, ICC continues to collaborate with ADRA in another program where children are in need. ADRA has built and operates daycare centers throughout the Sao Paulo region of Brazil. These centers take in children from the slum area - "flavaelas" - of the city and provide before and after school care. The children attend school half the day and spend the other half at the day care centers. Here they receive help completing their homework, are fed two meals a day, are given the opportunity to take a shower and learn proper hygiene, are taught crafts and are given the opportunity to learn computer skills. Small gardens have been planted where the children spend some time each day working. The children that are accepted into the program are school age - 6 to 15 years old. Emphasis is placed on accepting children who are the most vulnerable or who face the greatest risks on the streets of the city.

ICC is pleased to collaborate with ADRA in these projects and will continue the affiliation for as long as assistance is needed.

More information about ICC’s work in Brazil is available by contacting ICC at (800) 422-7729.