It is impossible to have a conversation with Geralda Sarraf about the non-profit organization she founded, Love Together Brasil (LTB), and not be moved by her passion. This contagious enthusiasm has enabled her to create a global network of friends and celebrities that support the organization’s efforts by donating their time, funds and - most importantly - access to their resources to help move LTB’s mission forward. 

Growing up in the semiarid northeastern region of Paraíba Brazil, Geralda understands the challenges of living in an area with minimal access to water. Frequent droughts and intense heat harm the lives of the people; agriculture and animals fail to thrive due to lack of water and the land becomes brittle and infertile. Basic human needs like drinking and bathing take tremendous effort in order to be met, making the future hopes and dreams of the people there the only thing more scarce than water. 

But the people of this region are strong and with the help of Geralda and her organization, their realities are being transformed. She founded LTB in 2013 as a way to truly give back to her home country of Brazil by providing the essential tools needed to break the cycle of poverty in some of the most underserved communities. Namely, she put an emphasis on providing access to water through the construction of artesian wells in hospitals, schools, and rural communities. To date, more than 50 wells have been built by LTB in Northeastern Brazil. The organization has also provided vital materials like healthcare equipment, medical supplies and cooling fans to hospitals as well as backpacks, diapers and toys to schools and churches in the region and beyond. The total lives that have been impacted by the efforts of LTB total almost 500,000.

As a mother, Geralda recognizes the importance of helping today’s youth understand and play a role in solving critical issues in our world. It’s important to her that young people get involved in a tangible way to truly see the impact of their work. She says, “I want to give the opportunity to kids to understand and see life outside of what they know. South America is a place where there is not much help given but they have the power to change this through improving education, sending goods and building facilities that empower the people.”

She has assembled a group of “Young Leaders” that are using their resources and abilities to help with perhaps one of the most ambitious goals of the organization: the building and development of the Love Together Brasil Center. The center is currently being constructed on 2.5 acres of land in the urban area of Piancó and will provide education, health, art, culture and sustainability for more than 20,000 children and young people in 18 cities in the Piancó Valley Region.

By managing fundraisers and even contributing funds of their own,the Young Leaders have been instrumental in helping to secure the funding and materials needed to bring the facility to fruition. According to Geralda, “To see the kids truly be involved in the efforts is magic. The work they are doing is incredible.” 

As the next generation of changemakers, Geralda’s Young Leaders are seeing the impact of the lives they change, including their own. When asked about how being a part of LTB has shaped their perspective on their own life, Young Leader Johnny Perlman said, “I now realize how lucky I am and how grateful I should be that I am able to have things others don't have that are necessary for life.” Another Young Leader Sophia Sarraf (also Geralda’s daughter) said “Witnessing the positive changes brought about by community support has inspired me to appreciate the value of giving back and being part of something larger than myself.” Or as Young Leader Austin Weiss puts it simply, “I am more appreciative now.”

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The Love Together Brasil Center. Visit www.lovetogetherbrasil.org for more details on how you can help continue the progress of the LTB Center by contributing financially, donating building materials, or donating what you have most important, your time. 

Austin: "As someone who loves sports, I think the LTB Center will bring together the community in a fun and exciting way and will offer essentials for families that would be helpful to them."

Sophia: "The holistic services provided by the center will create a positive effect for these people, fostering healthier and more engaged communities. Personally, I aspire to carry forward the values of compassion, dedication, and community engagement that have shaped this project, guiding me through high school and beyond." 

Johnny: "The Center will provide kids with educational support and help them engage them with other kids in the community. It will give the children something to do and be a part of."

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Jordan Perlman is a senior at Jericho High School preparing to study government and law at the University of Texas at Austin this fall. He is also one of the first LTB Young Leaders. As a young 5th grader, Jordan began his involvement with LTB by traveling to a church in Queens to help provide food and clothing as well as toys and supplies for the youngest parishioners. He became interested in other ways to become involved with the organization and started a “pen pal” program for 200 6th-grade students and the children in the Piancó region of Brazil. After several years of organizing drives to gather clothing, sports equipment and school supplies to send to the region, he had the opportunity to visit Piancó and see why his efforts were so meaningful. In 2023, as an 11th grader, Jordan traveled to Sao Paolo Brazil for a LTB fundraising gala to celebrate the organization’s 10th anniversary that he describes as the “greatest experience.” While in Brazil, Jordan visited the hospitals that received new wells as well as patient beds and much-needed medical supplies. He also spent time in Piancó, witnessing first-hand the challenges the people of the region face and gaining a real appreciation for his life at home. Jordan explains, “When you see what’s really happening in the place you’re helping, you can fully understand the impact of your efforts and be very thankful for what you have. We did so much but there’s still so much to do.”

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“When I founded Love Together Brasil, I had the purpose of seeing my people with better living conditions and opportunities; a deep desire to see country children attending quality schools, young people enrolled in professional courses or entering University, and the greatest gift of all, seeing water springing from the ground. It is love and hope that make me fight to improve the living conditions of these people. The love for my land and the hope that water will sprout there, this miracle that everyone longs for.” - Geralda Sarraf