World Cup semifinals are here!  The whole world is watching, country's who have been eliminated now watch as the teams they once played, go for the ultimate goal.  Today, Brazil takes on Germany to advance to the next stage.

The Salvation Army is present in both Territories and is doing some amazing work.  In Brazil, The Salvation Army has 176 Officers, 10 Cadets (officers in training), 313 employees, 1,935 Senior Soldiers, 105 Adherents, 552 Junior Soldiers, 43 Churches and 32 social institutions.

Canada and Bermuda Territory partnership: - Currently we have one project with Brazil, Sponsorship Project. The project supports a centre working with children aged 6 to 17 on a daily basis.  The centre provides educational support, and social and skills development.  Young people in the community are at risk of being trafficked or lured into the drug trade and prostitution.  It is an area, where it is difficult to find employment and employers may simply eliminate applications with an address from this area without considering the applicants qualifications.  The project provides support for 200 children, ages 6 – 11, and 100 adolescents, ages 12 – 17, to attend the program where they find the support, encouragement and the safety they need to continue their education and have hope for a better future.

Children in Brazil enjoy a cultural activity - Outing to an ecological park

In Germany, The Salvation Army has 136 Officers, 4 Cadets, 508 employees, 878 Senior Soldiers, 500 Adherents, 66 Junior Soldiers, 46 churches and 40 institutions.  Although the Canada and Bermuda Territory does not have any current funding projects, The Salvation Army Germany Territory is working hard to eliminate challenges and celebrate their successes.

Many children in these countries look to world class soccer players as role models, believing in the impossible and dreaming of stardom.  Although they may not have store bought soccer balls, they play in the streets and corner with home-made balls made from plastic bags and rubber bands and they dream of becoming the next James Rodriguez or Luis Suarez.

If you would like to help make a difference in these countries, please contact us by email at world_missions@can.salvationarmy.org or by phone at 416-422-6224.