An example of this occured in November 1989 when Article 227 of the Brazilian Constitution was approved. For the first time this granted rights to the street children:

"It is the duty of the family, the society, and the state to guarantee to the child and adolescent, with absolute priority, the right to life, health, nutrition, education, leisure, professional training, culture, dignity, respect, liberty and community and family living, as well as protecting them from discrimination, exploitation, cruelty, and oppression." (Dewees, Klees 1995)

Former Brazilian President Fernando Collor de Mello signed the resulting implementing legislation, called the Child and Adolescent Statute, into law July of 1990. In terms of content, this statute grants full human rights and agency to the child and adolescent. The methods of dealing with children changed as well. The statute outlines a structure of protective and socioeducative programs designed to aid street children (Dewees, Klees 1995). The statute also calls for new structures of decision- making and control that are more locally based and participative. However, the measures taken by the government have been severely criticized. President Collor has been said to identify with his critics, then proceed to announce a series of flamboyant measures to tackle the effect of the problem, while ignoring the causes (Dimenstein 1995; Jubilee 1998; Penglase 1994). Their analysis of the governmental actions are somewhat justified. Brazil has one of the most advanced legislation in the world on children's rights (Dimenstein 1995). It is one of the few countries that has a Ministry of the Child and a National Plan for the Prevention and Reduction of Violence Against Children (Dimenstein 1995).

Yet at the same time, Brazil's economic and social policies and traditions are impoverishing the population and increasing the number of children on the streets. There are also a growing number of non- governmental organizations (NGOs). Some of these include: National Movement of Street Children (MNMMR), Childhope , Brazilian Interprofessional Association for the Protection of Children and Adolescents (ARBRAPIA), Amencar, UNICEF , Child in the Park Organization and countless others. These non- governmental organizations have helped Brazilian street children immensely, however, the problem of children on the streets still persists. The only lasting way that this problem can be solved is through governmental change.