Brazil and South Africa

Mission, Summer 2008

From July to August 2008, Building Bridges will travel to South Africa and Brazil to serve the underserved victims of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases. In both countries, Building Bridges will work side- by-side with local organizations, to contribute directly to the care of those affected by HIV/AIDS, and the residual ills of socio-political disempowerment.

From the repercussions of apartheid in South Africa to Brazil's fledging health care system, team members will engage the changes, celebrations, and challenges that have emerged where socio-economic impacts of poverty, unemployment, and HIV/AIDS are tumultuously evident. Simultaneously, team members in Brazil will also work with engineers to create an entire clean water irrigation system for approximately 450 homes on Itaparica Island. This ongoing project has been delayed due to insufficient funding and human resources. However, with the support of the Building Bridges team, we hope to complete the irrigation system in order to address preventable illnesses afflicting indigenous inhabitants on the island due to insufficient water filtration.

Members will also conduct awareness workshops and treat patients in clinics dispersed throughout 3 target cities in the nation's countryside. In both Brazil and South Africa, team members will conduct workshops purposed to medically, socially, economically, and politically educate and empower.