the story so far

Vision

To rescue and restore children and teenagers from their life on the street, assisting with their physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs, for re-integration with their family and society, with dignity.

Rescue
Our team of street workers circuit the city of Belo Horizonte daily to:
- Create a bond
- Awaken trust
- Show them that Jesus loves them
- Invite them to our day centre

Restoration
Our aim is to provide an environment where they can build up their self-esteem and rediscover their identity as children. Whether they are going to school from one of our homes, taking ballet lessons or learning to work with wood, the essential ingredient is love.

Re-integration
In keeping with our desire to see each one of these children grow up into balanced young men and women, we work hard towards their re-integration into society. We work to restore their family structure because our ultimate goal is to see them return to live in their own homes.

When they reach the permitted age we find jobs for the teenagers. Working not only provides them with an income but also rapidly boosts their self-esteem and confidence.

Recife and Mozambique
Our vision also encompasses sending teams to Recife, Brasil and Mozambique, Africa. In Recife, the situation is similar to that in Belo Horizonte, with poverty and dangerous living conditions driving many children to the streets. There is a lot of child prostitution with young girls. In Mozambique we aim to work with children who have been left destitute and orphaned after decades of war and recent floods.

History

Happy Child Mission was founded in 1993 by Joao and Sarah de Carvalho in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, which continues to be it's main base for work with street children, with administrative bases also in USA and England.

Happy Child Mission, a Christian mission working alongside local churches, has a multi-stage programme set up to take children from the streets into a family after a period of rehabilitation. Today with a staff of over 50 workers and volunteers, the ministry attends more than 75 children and teenagers a day. (1999)

Sarah de Carvalho has written a book called 'The Street Children of Brasil' which tells, in more detail, of the incredible work she and her husband have founded. It's a story of immense faith, suffering and love and includes stories from some of the children themselves. It's published by Hodder & Stoughton in UK at 5.99 pounds and is available in most Christian bookshops. Outside of the UK, you can also buy it on the Internet at www.amazon.com

Beliefs

Happy Child Mission is a Christian programme of Rescue, Restoration and Education for the needy children and teenagers living on the streets in Belo Horizonte, Brasil. The team is made up of men and women who believe in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and who have given up their own secular jobs to dedicate their time to rescuing these street children - offering food, shelter, clothing, medication, education and the love and truth of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is the foundation and cornerstone of the church. He came to restore man's broken relationship with God. His finished work on the cross made that possible. Because of His love demonstrated on the cross by dying for our sins, we now have reason to fellowship with one another and proclaim salvation through His life, death and resurrection (Romans 5:6-10; I Corinthians 3:1; Ephesians 2:20)

The Bible is the inspired, infallible word of God and is relevant and applicable to man today. Therefore we place great emphasis upon teaching it, studying it in private and using it as a guide for our daily lives. (I Timothy 4:13; II Timothy 3:16-17; I Thessolonians 2:13)

Worship. We believe God is worthy of all praise, reverence and love. We take special time to worship Him in church through song. It is our goal to worship Him with our whole lives as well; at home, at work and at play. (John 4:23; Colossians 3:16; I Thessolonians 5:16-18)

Christian Growth. Our supreme desire is to know Christ and to be conformed into His image by the power of the Holy Spirit. We encourage this by abiding in Jesus Christ through His word prayer and fellowship, and by yielding our lives to the Holy Spirit. (John 15:5; Romans 8:29, Ephesians 4:15)

Love is the greatest virtue and demonstration of the reality of Jesus Christ. We endeavour to show a Christ-like love towards each other, the children and all men. Love should be exhibited in our lives by our works as well as our actions. (John 13:34-35; I Corinthians 13:13; Philippians 2:3-5)

Christian Service is part of the Christian life and is the responsibility of all believers (Ephesians 4:11-13; I Corinthians 12:4-7)