Brazil
Although it's South Americas largest, most influential country and contains a wealth of natural resources, across Brazil there is a massive divide between the rich and poor. Conditions are harsh living in the big cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo where a third of the population lives in slums - or favalas - as they are known.
Working in partnership with three churches in favelas of Sao Paulo, Oasis is developing a number of community programmes to meet the desperate needs of the local people.
Andrea's story shows just how this works.
Andrea lived with her five children and alcoholic husband in the Miguel Badra community. Her husband's alcoholism took most of what little income they had, leaving very little for her lively children who lived in terror of their father's beatings. All had red weals on their skin as they are infected with scabies - they don't have enough clothing to change into something clean after a bath, no blankets and no sheets. The local health centre has given them medication, but its effect is hampered by the low immunity these children have through poor nutrition.
Hearing of this tragic situation, the local church raliied together to donate blankets, multi-vitamins made with natural products and clothes which were received with great thanks.
But who can restore the dignity of a woman who is suffering from seeing her children deprived of food, safety or acceptance?
After these events the family started attending a local church where they were able to find love and acceptance.
"God has shown me how much he loves me through my friends at this church" explains Andrea, "they hug my children even when their skins are diseased and love them even when their own father doesn't and welcome us even when our neighbours shut their doors."
