Meet Ruama (Oakseed’s Newest Ministry Partner!)

Ruama is a ministry that cares for impoverished children and women in the favelas of São Paulo, Brazil. Operating in Favela do Murão, the Boracéia community is beset by extreme poverty and social challenges, including broken families, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and exploitation.

Ruama serves approximately 150 children and teenagers through art, music, martial arts, IT, and storytelling. Families can also participate in sewing, crafts, and artisan workshops, thus generating income and contributing to their family budgets. Ruama offers essential support for children through preschool and before- and after-school care for children aged 6-12, providing Bible lessons, supervised play, and educational projects. The ministry also reaches teenagers with after-school care, tutoring, and remedial education.

Today, in Brazil, about 21 million people don’t have enough food to eat every day, and 70.3 million are in food insecurity. Ruama addresses this sad reality by providing daily meals to the children in their programs and sending additional healthy meals home to bless their families with food. Last year, they launched a new project to care for women in the shantytown, offering spiritual and material support and service referrals.

God’s faithfulness has sustained the Ruama Project for over 40 years. The ministry has seen countless lives transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ, with the impact of God’s word helping children develop life skills and behavioral changes that lead to godly lives. Through these comprehensive programs and unwavering faith, the Ruama Project continues to show the love of Christ and transform the lives within its community.

Oakseed offers several ways to support Ruama in its mission to bring the gospel to its community, including prayer resources and financial support. Please visit our prayer page for more information.