At first glance, the ostensibly idyllic nature of the Northeastern Brazilian state of Alagoas masks the abject poverty in which many of the families there live. Today, work on sugar cane plantations still remains the only source of employment for many. There is virtually no industry, and tourism is slow to create jobs – most of which are poorly paid.

This is why a charitable organization called “Costura” [Portuguese for “sewing”] was established in 2005. The goal of the charity's founders is to support and educate young women and single mothers in Northeastern Brazil.

The organization has nearly 40 staff members and numerous actively involved donors whose commitment makes it possible to maintain a sewing school in which a talented seamstress teaches young women the skills required to sew professionally. The project also finances rooms and equipment.

Helping women help themselves is the organizations primary mission: Women are offered the prospect of gaining confidence and independence through the use of their newly learned skills, thus enabling them to feed themselves and their children.

oraïse's involvement here goes far beyond regular monetary and material donations; to a greater degree Markus Hengstenberg, managing partner at oraïse, offers the organization his support as an active member involved in a variety of campaigns. For more information please visit www.costura-ev.de

The non-profit organization BESCHÜTZERinstinkte e. V. [German for “PROTECTIVEinstincts”] was founded in March 2010 and concentrates on therapeutic assistance for children who have physical or mental disabilities and suffer from psychological trauma.

Animals are not just morale-boosting helpers to people who are physically challenged, but also “therapists” for psychological and physical disorders.

The charitable organization collects donations and finds sponsors for disadvantaged children to provide them with the opportunity to receive an animal-assisted therapy or a therapeutic vacation. Time spent together at a therapy farm can be a relaxing and healing experience, especially for families.

Mothers of disabled children receive a much-needed break and find social education specialists who are always willing to listen. Even more important: Non-disabled siblings receive full attention and can play with farm animals or drive tractors, for example.

Moreover, BESCHÜTZERinstinkte provides assistance with the costs of the training program for therapeutic and assistance dogs. For more information please visit www.beschuetzer-instinkte.com

The sociocultural project “Okan Tomi” [West African/Yoruba for “My heart”] was established in the Marianao district of Havana in 1993.

The project aims to provide underprivileged children and young adults both educational and social opportunities and help families master the challenges of day-to-day life. In addition, volunteers offer a professional dance and drum training program:

“Stimulating dance, new experiences with music and a social exchange give children a new chance to escape life on the streets and to learn what it means to treat one another with fairness and respect.”

At the same time, a fixed ensemble of musicians and dancers has formed over the years and has already achieved cult status in Cuba under the name “Okan Tomi”.

Donations and active sponsorships enable young adults to study music at the Instituto Pedagógico “Enrique José Varona” so that they can pass their knowledge on to other children and youths. For more information, please visit the website of the Music Department at the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg.