ADCAM, Amazonas

The Association for the Cohesive Development of the Amazon (ADCAM) began in 1985 as a small orphanage in one of the poorest neighborhoods of Manaus, Brazil. Since then, it has grown into a nationally recognized educational institution serving over 1100 students per day from pre-school through university. In addition, more than 400 “street children” receive free quality after-hours care and education.

Fifty percent of ADCAM students are on full scholarships and more children are waiting. ADCAM addresses the root causes of poverty, providing education for children and outreach programs to help at-risk teens, women, families and the elderly. ADCAM's Tahirih College of Education graduates 100 teachers a year. Many are former students of other ADCAM programs who stay to teach and give back in their local communities. And Masrour Technical College, at full capacity, will graduate 4,000 students a year.