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Joao is a young Brazilian boy who lives with his parents, Antonio and Maria Cheila, and with his sister, Iolanda, on the outskirts of a small town located in the state of Ceara. Their simple home, which is self-owned, has brick walls, rough cement flooring and a clay-tiled roof. It has a tiny bathroom. Electricity is available. Water is carried from an artesian well. Maria Cheila and Iolanda work as caregivers (doing odd jobs) and Antonio does some subsistence farming when available. Joao is lively and cheerful. He likes playing police and bad guy along with his friends. Joao has autistic spectrum disorder; he takes controlling medicines and is under treatment with specialists (psychotherapist, occupational therapist and phonoaudiologist). He attends a local public primary school. The family is needy and through your support Joao and his family have the opportunity to participate in important projects in the areas of health, recreation and education.