The Landless Workers Movement (MST) has assisted over a million Brazilian farmers in creating self-sufficient lives for themselves on farmland that had been unused for decades and often centuries. The Brazilian constitution guarantees the purchase of unused farmland for landless families. The MST assists 75 to 100 families at a time in selecting land, improving the soil, and establishing functioning communities. It funds the creation of small businesses such as an organic heirloomm seed company. In addition, it maintains a long view and – amazingly – uses some of its very limited resources to work to try to reestablish defiled rainforests.

Currently the foundation had two loans to the MST: one to the seed company and one to a school, where MST members learn about sustainable farming and building techniques.

Find out more about MST at www.mstbrazil.org.