When I was a Country Manager with Mission Direct I led teams of volunteers to Campo Largo (a suburb of Curitiba in Southern Brazil) to help local charity Open Hands (Maos Abertas) & their local builders construct 8 transitional homes and a community centre. 

Why "transitional homes"? This programme helps 8 families move out of the slums and pay a nominal rent to live here in a structured, safe environment for a term of 5 years. At the end of this time, their rent will be used as a deposit to obtain a mortgage so the family can move away and into their own home and another family enrol on the project. Four of the houses are already occupied!

With internal work on two houses and the landscaping to finish and fencing to erect we were hoping to complete the work this Autumn.  But that will not be happening and Mission Direct has decided it will no longer send teams to this part of Brazil. Therefore I am raising money to support our partners Open Hands to finish the project that so many volunteers have raised funds for and worked on!

The amount needed is approximately £9,000 (subject to exchange rates). Any money raised above this will be used by Open Hands towards future maintenance & its administration costs. (Although it has no paid staff)

What will I be doing? Since 2014 I have travelled out to Brazil every October but in 2020 I will be walking or cycling at least 8 miles every day throughout that month. (1 mile for each home) 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity which will forward ALL funds they receive  to Open Hands in Campo Largo, Brazil. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.