Rancho Novo Horizonte, Brazil
Make A Difference explored the contrasts of Brazil for three weeks in the summer of 2002, both awed by that country’s natural splendors and moved by its social distress. After orientation in teeming Sao Paulo and an excursion to the world-famous and awe inspiring waterfalls of Foz do Iguacu, the volunteers began a project at Rancho Novo Horizonte (New Horizons Ranch) in the small town of Cristianopolis. The Rancho, a home for some 30 abandoned boys, harbors them from abusive families, degrading slums, brutal street gangs, and stunting poverty. The Rancho feeds, clothes, and shelters these castoff boys, embraces them as a family of brothers and offers them a haven of security and trust. Make A Difference volunteers spent two weeks at the Rancho enjoying getting to know the boys and building an outdoor patio to serve as an eating area and a space for worship – a commons for limb and spirit.