Brazil is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population. It is the only Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas.

Salvador da Bahia - a UNESCO World Heritage site - was the first city of Brazil and today maintains much of the Portuguese colonial architecture from the 18th century. The soul of the city draws its roots from the heritage of the descendants of African slaves, but is now the center of Afro-Brazilian culture.  In fact, there is no other place in the world where African roots are more present across the whole cultural landscape, including: music, religion, food, dance, and martial arts traditions.  African descendants in the city still perform rituals for African gods at Candomble ceremonies and dance capoeira, a stylized martial art that was disguised as a dance for the benefit of slave owners.

Despite its cultural richness, the state of Bahia has not benefited from the economic success of Brazil over the past decade and continues to be one of the poorest states in the country. Brazil’s social discrepancies are blatantly evident here, albeit countered by strong social grassroots movements, irrigated by hope and inspired by a heart-warming lifestyle.