São Paulo-Poá

SOS Children’s Villages supports individual children, young people and families so that they can thrive (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Brazil).

Poá is a municipality in São Paulo that is located in the south-east region of Brazil. . It is located in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, to the west of Porto Alegre. Although São Paulo is Brazil’s richest state, poverty is concentrated in rural areas. Favelas (slums) line outskirts of metropolitan areas and remote regions. This developing city can´t keep up with the rapid population growth. Many families lack basic sanitation, housing and face overcrowded hospitals and high crime rates.

Since 1968, SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children, young people and families and advocating for their rights in São Paulo-Poá.

620,000
Families live in poverty in

Children living in poverty

The inequality in Brazilian society has marked effects on the lives of many vulnerable families. More concisely, children, women and youth are disproportionately affected by working poverty. Evidence from various studies show that children from low income families are often forced to work. Children have to work long hours performing physically challenging or even hazardous work to support their families and buy food. Many children and young people drop out of school without completing primary education. .

500,000
Children are suffering commercial sexual exploitation

Children at risk of sexual exploitation

Around 500,000 children are suffering from commercial sexual exploitation. Brazil is a source, transit, and destination country for sex trafficking of women and children. Brazilian women and children are subjected to sex trafficking within the country and abroad. Vulnerable children and adolescents are often forced into commercial sexual exploitation by organized gangs. They usually suffer physical and psychological abuse and are forced into using drugs or alcohol.

Your support makes a difference for children in São Paulo-Poá

SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities to offer a wide range of support that is adapted to the local context. We always work in the best interest of the children, young people and families.
20
Children and young people
Grow up in our care
We run different workshops to support children and young people. Working on their perceptions was the main goal of this activity (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Brazil).

How your support helps in São Paulo-Poá

Caring for children who cannot live with their families
Some children cannot stay with their families, even with additional support. When this happens, they can find a new home in SOS Children’s Villages. Here the children can build safe and lasting relationships. All the children in our care have access to education and healthcare. Wherever possible, we work closely with the children’s family of origin. If children can return to live with their families, we help them adapt to this change. Further support in provided in the other programmes in São Paulo.