Abstract
This paper studies the particularly difficult social plight of children in Brazil. As the author explains, there are fifty five million children under the age of sixteen in the country, of whom as many as twelve million are homeless, living on the streets and/or working in child labor, including in extremely abusive situations. The paper provides a detailed assessment of the various problems (as shown in the below outline) and then discusses solutions to them, both governmental and non-governmental. The paper concludes with a number of case studies about non-profit organizations that have endeavored to change the situation for Brazil's children.
Introduction to Brazil
Introduction to Societal Problems Involving the Children of Brazil
Homelessness
Death Squads
Child Labor
Child Prostitution
Sexual Abuse from Working as Domestic Servants
Why the Children Work
Solutions
Solutions Regarding the Death Squad Killings
Governmental Assistance
Law and Enforcement
Education Initiatives by the Government
Children Working and Attending School at the Same Time
Specific Targeted Programs
Assistance from Various Organizations
Happy Family
Amizade
Goat-to-School Program
Eliminating Child Labor in the Shoe Industry
Hope for the Future

From the Paper
"Surprisingly, for its rather quiet history, and in spite of its rapid industrialization and economic growth, Brazil has some very serious social problems today. Cities are polluted and crime is rampant. The gap between the rich and poor continues to grow. The gap, in fact, is among the most substantial in the world (1999 Country Reports). As the United States Department of State noted, in 1995, the richest twenty percent of the Brazilian population received 63 percent of the nation's income, and the poorest fifty percent of the nation accounted for only twelve percent of the nation's income. The widening gap between rich and poor also may be seen in the availability (or lack thereof) of food, education, medical care, and services such as water supply, sewerage, electricity, and other basic needs required for daily living (1999 Country Reports)."

Tags:Homelessness, Death, Squads, Child, Labor, Prostitution, Sexual, Abuse, Domestic, Servants, Work, Governmental, Assistance, Education, Initiatives, Happy, Family, Amizade, Goat-to-School