Forest House, at Epsom College Farm, a home for boys aged 10 – 14 (entry age) on an organic farm.

The project aims to provide support to teenage boys who are committed to leaving life on the streets behind. Boys from other shelters, from Task Brasil’s Casa Roger Turner project or from the Young Offenders Prison under the care of the state of Rio de Janeiro, who show consistent willingness to change their future and improve their prospects will, through various diversified activities, be given access to state run medical care, schools, cultural and leisure activities and professional workshops with the aim of re-integrating the boys into community life.

In June 2002, the students of Epsom College in the UK fundraised and donated £30,000 for the purchase of a small farm and surrounding forest in Brazil, located in a rural area 90km North-East of Rio city. Forest House (Epsom College Farm’s first shelter) was built with funds donated by the British Embassy – Small Funds scheme. On 10th March 2005 – with half of its running cost funds already committed by ABC Trust – Forest House opened its doors to become the home of 5 boys aged 10-14 years.

The site of the farm comprises of a wide range of environments, on which different land-use activities are being developed, to-date there is a banana plantation, a citrus orchard and a vegetable garden surrounded by tropical fruit trees such as avocado, mango, acerola, cherimoya, papaya, carambole and guava.

Half of the area remains covered in rainforest, either entirely untouched, or in the process of regenerating, which, due to the biodiversity of its fauna is being managed as a conservation area. A nearby natural spring provides a perennial water supply.

The farm is a secure place where the teenagers are provided with the skills and knowledge to earn an independent income, away from drug trafficking and other street professions and thus provide them with the means and the support necessary to secure their own futures.

The boys were given access to education, vocational training, drug rehabilitation, health programmes and a secure place for them to socialise. The farm also gave the boys the opportunity to be involved in their own agricultural/ecological projects, such as renewable energy programmes and income-generating workshops. The boys all attended the local school and participated in a number of educational and vocational activities at the farm, under the supervision of Task Brasil's Projects Coordinator and a team of professionals .

Task Brasil aims to develop the farm using integrated sustainable land-use principles, renewable sources of energy and organic/biodynamic farming techniques, creating a productive and healthy alternative environment for the teenagers and staff.