Life expectancy: 72 years GNI per capita: $3,000 Under 5s
mortality: 34 per 1000 live births Brazil is the fifth-largest
and ninth-wealthiest country in the world, yet 54 million
Brazilians live below the poverty line. The gap between rich and
poor in Brazil is one of the most extreme in the world, with the
wealthiest 10% enjoying more of the national income than the
poorest 50%. An estimated 44 million people suffer from hunger
and lack of access to basic services such as health care,
education, sanitation and food. We support the House of Passage,
in Recife, North East Brazil. Its programme is providing hope to
the young girls living on the streets or in the slum communities
of this bustling tourist town. Many face violence, drugs and
sexual abuse in their daily lives. House of Passage gives them a
safe haven, vocational training, regular meals and access to
health services. The young girls are encouraged to find new
educational and income opportunities, many being trained in
fashion design and manufacturin