Skip to content
Testimonial Brazil Lack of family support Trafficking, abuse and exploitation

Ricardo, the little coconut seller

treet-children_vasconcelos.jpg

Ricardo lives in a poor community in Fortaleza in Brazil. When he was 8, a neighbour suggested to his mother that he help him sell coconuts in the beachside shops and thus earn a small salary. “He offered me work because he saw that my home situation was very difficult. My mother had to look after my three little sisters on her own.”

Despite being so young, the boy knew he had no choice: either he worked or his family had nothing to eat. “So I worked from Monday to Saturday, from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. I remember my neighbour told me that because I was very young I had no rights. I had to leave school because I didn’t have time to go anymore”, says Ricardo.

Ricardo was at work one day when a street teacher asked him if he would like to have a day off. With the agreement of his mother Ricardo joined a programme to combat child labour. As well as taking part in activities like theatre, dance, skating and learning how to broadcast on a radio Ricardo received support to return to school and his family even benefitted from financial help. He also joined a rap music group with whom he rehearses and makes instruments on Saturday afternoons.

Today, Ricardo is age 15 and proud of what he has become. “I am still facing problems but I know that if I had carried on working my life would have been a long way from what it is today.”

- Ricardo, beneficiary in Brazil

Health

Health-topic-introduction

Children have a right to healthcare.
Terre des hommes helps hundreds of thousands of children and their mothers to benefit from their right to healthcare, food and hygiene in a sustainable manner and within their communities.
Read more