Backpacks of Smiles

Alagoas is one of the states with the lowest human development index in Brazil, and its poverty rate is 95.4%. Some 12% of its inhabitants live in settlements without any infrastructures, in some cases without bathrooms, electricity or running water.

For families at risk who live in extreme poverty, it is very difficult to feed their children properly, and the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic has only exacerbated their situation. In these circumstances, children are always the most seriously affected.

With a poor, unbalanced diet, the children of Lago Mundau, in Vergel do Lago, experience nutritional problems that affect their growth and physical and emotional development, not only now but also their development as healthy adults in the future.

Through the ‘Mochilas de Sonrisas’ program of the Nutritional Recovery and Education Center (CREN), we offer a balanced diet to 500 children aged up to six who are experiencing health problems as a result of their poor diet.

With this initiative, we continue to offer our support to the Nutritional Recovery and Education Center (CREN) to provide health, education and nutrition to these young people, and most especially their families at risk of exclusion.

Today, working together is more important than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the living conditions of many people in Brazil and, indeed, the rest of the world. Between all of us, we can make sure that no-one is left behind.