In Praia Grande, on the southern coast of Brazil, a community of Canossian Sisters is establishing a permanent VOICA volunteer house in order to attend to the needs of the local youth.

Praia Grande is situated in the state of San Paulo, an hour by road from the city of Santos, where the community of Sisters are working with street children in order to prevent their involvement along the path of prostitution. The Sisters expanded their pastoral work to Praia Grande in order minister to youth and in the parish, to visit families and to set up informal education for the street children.

Praia Grande lacks the necessary infrastructures for dignified living. Hygienic facilities, drainages and rubbish dumps do not exist. The level of schooling is very low, and the young people are often exposed to life on the street. Establishing a permanent volunteer residence will allow more continuous and effective care for the youth of Praia Grande as long-term volunteers arrive.

In collaboration with the nearby parish, the volunteers will help establish formative and recreational activities for the youth. Using the new VOICA building for the various activities, the children will be able to enjoy moments of peace and joy, far from the dangers of life on the street. In August, VOICA volunteers will prepare the annual month-long summer camp for the youth of Praia Grande.