Brazil Service Project Background

Brazil Service Project Background

Overview

Brazil is the world's fifth largest country, occupying almost half of the South American continent and bordering every country in it except for Chile and Ecuador. Brazil's land mass is slightly smaller than the United States. Much of Brazil is scarcely populated, although some regions with previously low population densities, such as the Amazon, are being rapidly settled, logged and depleted. The country's estimate population is 178,470,000 with a wide variety of ethnic groups: white (includes Portuguese, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish) 55% mixed white and black 38%, black 6% other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 1%. 

Brazil can be divided into four major geographic regions. The long, narrow Atlantic seaboard has coastal ranges between the Rio Grande do Sul and Bahia, but is flatter north of Bahia. The large highlands - called the Planalto Basileiro or central plateau - which extend over most of Brazil's interior south of the Amazon Basin are punctuated by several small mountain ranges and sliced by several large rivers. Two great depressions - the Paraguay Basin, which is characterized by open forest, low woods and scrub land, and the densely forested Amazon Basin - lie in the southeast. The 6275km (3890 mile) long Amazon is the world's largest river, and the Amazon forest contains 30% of the world's remaining forest. The lowest point in the country is sea level at the Atlantic Ocean, it's highest point is Pica da Neblina at 3,014 m. 

The climate is mostly tropical, but more temperate in the south. The Brazilian winter is from June to August, with the coldest southern states receiving average winter temperatures between 13 C and 18 C (55 F and 64 F). In summer (December to February), Rio is hot and humid, with temperatures in the high 30 C (80 F); the rest of the year, temperatures average a reasonable 27 C (80 F). Most of Brazil can be visited comfortably throughout the year - it's only the south, which can be unbearably sticky in summer and non-stop rainy in winter that has extreme seasonal changes. With many Brazilians on summer vacation from December to February, travel can be difficult and expensive, while from Rio to the south the humidity can be oppressive. 

The richness and diversity of Brazil's fauna is astounding, and the country ranks first in the world for numbers of species of primates, amphibians and plants; third for bird species; and fourth for species of butterflies and reptiles. However, many species are under threat because of the continued depletion of rain forests, desertification in the northeast, patching in the Pantanal region and coastal pollution. 

Brazil is presently a Federal republic, headed by President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva. Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil has overcome more than half a century of military intervention i the governance of the country to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of the interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, Brazil became Latin America's leading economic power by the 1970s. Highly unequal income distribution remains a pressing problem. Over 50 million Brazilians remain truly poor, many desperately so. Gains in education, land reform and welfare compete against a sickly health system, urban overcrowding, rural landlessness and environmental abuse. Corruption in Brazil remains a way of life, despite the beginnings of attempts to tackle it. Brazil has some way to go before it can shake off the jibe that it's the land of the future and always will be.

Although Portuguese, not Spanish is the language of Brazil, a knowledge of Spanish will go a long way. You will recognize many similarly words, and some Brazilians will understand you if you speak Spanish. You will however find it hard to understand them. "Tudo Bern", which means "All is Well" is one of the most common forms of greeting.

The staples of the Brazilian diet are white rice, black and pinto beans and manioc flour, usually combined with steak, chicken or fish. Brazilian specialties include mqueca, a seafood stew flavored with dende oil and coconut milk; caururu, okra and other vegetables mixed with shrimp, onions and peppers; and feijoada, a bean and meat stew. On many street corners in Bahia, woman wearing flowing white dresses sell acaraje, beans mashed in salt and onions and the fried in dende oil. The fried balls are filled with seafood, manioc paste, dried shrimp, pepper and tomato sauce. 

The currency is real BRL. 1 American dollar = 1.76 BRL. Credit cards are now accepted all over Brazil. Visa is the best card to carry for cash advances. Changing cash and traveler's checks is simple- there are cambios in all but the tiniest towns. Unfortunately, it has become harder to exchange cash since the devaluation. When buying cash, ask for lots of small bills as change is often unavailable for small transactions. 

The religion is predominately Roman Catholic (nominal) 80%. Brazil is officially a Catholic country, but in practice the country's religious life incorporates Indian animism, African cults, Afro-Catholic syncretism and   Kardecism, a spiritualist religion embracing Eastern mysticism, which is gaining popularity with Brazilian Whites.

LDS missionaries first arrived in Brazil in 1928, and labored exclusively among the German colonies in the south. The first Brazilian mission was formed from the South America mission in 1935. But it wasn't until after World War II that teaching in Portuguese began in earnest as proselyting was expanded to the entire country. There are now 27 missions in Brazil.

The first stake was formed in 1966 in Sao Paulo, consisting of seven wards and three branches. Church membership in Brazil grew slowly at first, and by the mid 1960's was at about 5,000. Following the dedication of the Sao Paulo temple in 1978, a period of tremendous progress began. The 1980's saw phenomenal growth, and by the mid 199's the LDS population has passed 500,000. In February of 1994, the 100th Stake in Brazil was formed. Brazil is the third country to reach that milestone, after the United States and Mexico. As of January 2009, there were reportedly 1,040,000 members of the Church in Brazil. Portuguese is now the third most spoken language in the Church. 

References:

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/br.html
http://www.lonelyplantet.com/mapshells/south_america/brazil/brazil.htm
http://www.brazilbrazil.com/elements.html
http://www.xmission.com/~dkension/brasil/bra_hist.html
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/south_america/brazil/history.htm

Service Project

This year there are many opportunities to serve the people of Brazil, particularly in the struggling areas that surround the city of Rio de Janeiro. Our project will primarily impact individual homes and families as we rebuild houses that were destroyed or seriously damaged by flooding. We will be working in a wonderful location outside of Rio that is a safe environment, yet it is close enough to have a chance to visit all of the famous places in Rio including Copacabana Beach, Sugar Loaf and the famous statue of Christ. We will also take a weekend flight to Iguacu Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world, on the border with Argentina. The HEFY Brazil trip is a "don't miss" experience. 

Trip Environment: Pleasant weather, sea level
Medical Care Access:           Fair
Special Notes: Some crime risk