This is an inspiring story of how educated privileged young people in Brazil are giving up their weekends to help out at orphanages and with other social projects.

My and I were invited by them to visit an orphanage that housed 31 children, 16 Girls and 15 boys, aged two to fifteen, all from desperately poor backgrounds, victims of violence and abuse. The good news is they are well cared for, fed and schooled. The bad news is that the orphanage is only part government funded and lacks many things, lack of fans in sweltering heat, broken showers and leaking roofs, much more than this the kids need stuff to enable them to be kids, toys, clothes, books. The girls need "girlie things", the boys need footballs, you never know there may be another Pele lurking here. Needless to say I will be looking to my friends and family to help out and I will be banging on doors when I get back so be prepared!!! As I said it's not money we are looking for, although it undoubtedly helps. I will be looking for stuff your kids or grandkids would normally throw away. Thank you for taking the trouble to read this and your generosity will be welcome.

(The photos have been posted with the knowledge and consent of the orphanage staff).