| Volunteers travel to the Tapajós region in the state of Pará, Brazil. The region is poorer than the rest of Brazil; almost half of the population lives on less than one US Dollar a day. In recent years, many large multinational agribusiness companies have begun to clear-cut the region to grow soy and rice - which has serious environmental consequences.
Poverty and problems associated with it (inadequate housing, poor health and nutrition, a failing educational system, etc.) are prevalent throughout Santarém and surrounding regions. With already limited resources, the city has been unable to provide services for the growing population or address the expanding rate of poverty.
Volunteers will help to complete projects with local organizations such as The Pastoral do Menor, a center providing care for street children; or The Assoc. of Parents and Amigos of Exceptionals (APAE), founded to provide assistance in health, education, and welfare to people with disabilities.
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