There are many terrifying realities that force countless children onto the streets: domestic violence, being orphaned or abandoned, or simply belonging to dysfunctional families.

For most, there is no way back.

Task Brasil Trust was established in the UK in 1992 in response to the situation of the street children of Brazil. Its projects improve the lives and support the needs of children and pregnant girls living on the streets.

Since its establishment as a charity in the UK in 1993, Task Brasil Trust has come a long way in helping the street children of Rio de Janeiro. In the early days, Ligia Da Silva (Founding Trustee) and her supporters began by trying to make contact with children on the streets, assisting poor families who were not able to provide for their children and helping young people, against all the odds, to receive a reasonable education.

Task Brasil was given an enormous boost in 1997 with a very generous donation by Jimmy Page, the Led Zeppelin rock icon, who witnessed first hand the deprivation of the children and troubles in the favelas whilst playing in Rio de Janeiro. The money donated was used to buy a plot of land in Santa Teresa with a house, Casa Jimmy, to provide a safe and happy home for a lucky few of the abandoned children.

Casa Jimmy has now been running for over 8 years, helped by a talented team of childcarers, psychologists, administrative staff and volunteers from both Brazil and around the world. Over 340 children, teenage mothers and their babies and their families have benefited from the facilities funded partly by the Prefeitura of Rio de Janeiro and largely by private donations. More recent donations have funded the purchase of land neighbouring Casa Jimmy providing housing for volunteers and land for a future project "Casa Charlotte" which will provide a home for teenage mothers and their babies independent from Casa Jimmy.

Task Brasil Trust continues to work directly with children living on the streets, trained staff and volunteers on the street approach programme make contact with children in Rio centre, encouraging them to participate in healthy activities which are intended to facilitate their development and increase self confidence.

Another very recent donation from the Beanfeast fund has enabled the purchase of Casa Roger Turner which provides a safe place for activities and workshops for children to move in from the streets.

Epsom College (UK) provided a large donation in 2002 which was used to fund the purchase of a 55 acre farm close to Cachoeira de Macacu, called Epsom College Farm, a one and half hour drive from Rio de Janeiro. The organic farm produces fruit and vegetables being eaten in Casa Jimmy and all projects and hosts ‘Ecotour - The Organic Farming Experience' working holidays.

With the British Embassy’s small funds (scheme) Forest House was built and donations from the ABC Trust enabled final preparations to be made to allow boys aged 10 to 14 to live and develop in a organic environment. Forest House is a home for those who have lost family contact and are transfered from shelters in Rio or nearby towns. They would have shown a firm commitment towards their self-development and are willing to take responsibility for the production and to learn a way of life away from the dangers and crime found in the streets.

Task Brasil Trust depends on the help of the good hearted who are willing to invest their time and/or money in the future of these young victims of Brazilian society.

Task Brasil Inc (www.taskbrasil.org) opened its office in the US in the summer of 2002. It is committed to using all of its resources to improve the independence and self-esteem of those in the care of Task Brasil