fazenda da Esperanca

guaratingueta, brazil

Father Hans Stapel is the co-founder and president of Fazenda da Esperança (Farms of Hope). He has established more than 60 therapeutic communities in 10 countries to help people with chemical dependencies rebuild their lives.

In 1979, Father Hans began a program to build houses for families in need, and eventually expanded to include other social services. Father Hans established Fazenda da Esperança, a project which has grown to include operations in Argentina, Guatemala, Germany, Mexico, Mozambique, Paraguay, the Philippines, Russia, Uruguay and Portugal.

Residents live in on the farms for a year, supporting each other. More than 10,000 people have participated in the program and 80 percent have abstained from further drug use while incorporating faith into their long-term recovery.