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FACENDA DA ESPERANCA
A Unique Community for Drug Rehabilitation
How it started
Farm of Hope
From the house that Fr. Hans gave, the group moved to a farm
donated by a generous man and the site is now considered the
first Fazenda da Esperanca or Farm of Hope. It became a showcase
of the spirit of brotherhood, at the same time a haven forthedrug-addicted,
encouraging many who needed help, not only people from Brazil
but others who came from other countries. In time, similar
farms were donated throughout Brazil with volunteers offering
to help. Each one expressed willingness to work and live the
Fazenda way.
To answer the need for a center for girls, the Women's Chapter
was set up in 1988 through the initiative of Luci Rosendo.
At present, there are 27 Fazenda centers in Brazil, with more
than 1,200 boys and girls undergoing rehabilitation.
Spread of Fazenda
When they saw the impressive growth of Fazenda in Brazil,
other countries invited Fazenda to start similar communities
in their place. In 1988 the first Fazenda outside Brazil was
inaugurated in Germany, near Berlin. Others followed in Paraguay,
Russia, Mexico and Guatemala.
First in Asia
In 2003 the first Fazenda da Esperanca in Asia was inaugurated
in the Philippines in Bangad, Milagros, Masbate through the
efforts of Father Pierino Rogliardi, a parish priest in Moonwalk,
Las Pinas, Philippines. To help the country solve its growing
drug problem, Fr. Pierino offered a tract of land in Masbate
owned by the Mary Immaculate Development Foundation, Inc.
(MIDFI), a non-profit organization that Fr. Pierino heads.
Before starting the Fazenda community in Masbate, Fr. Pierino
sent twelve drug addicts from his parish for rehabilitation
in Brazil and Germany. When they returned from rehabilitation
after one year, they assisted a group of missionaries from
Brazil and Germany in establishing the Fazenda in Masbate.
Together with three Sisters from the Congregation of the Apostles
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, whose presence in the community
have proved very valuable, others who helped lay the foundation
for the center were some rehabilitated drug users from
Fazenda and a few volunteers. Three houses were built, each
house accommodating 14 boys and became the home of the first
drug addicts from the Philippines to enter Fazenda.
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