1975 On 3 May, Assistência Social Evangélica de Brasília (ASEB), a Christian organisation, is founded to give assistance to poor people of all ages living in Brasilia and its surroundings, regardless of religion or politics.
1977 At a meeting of the Brasília branch of the Lions Club Int., a member of ASEB hears about a group of 100 children being abused and exploited by a drug trafficker. Without having the physical resources but having faith in God’s care & goodness, the directors of ASEB, under the leadership of Pastor Ernesto Swartele and his wife Josefina, accept the challenge of taking care of these children. The Federal District Social Services gives them a disused building in the satellite town of Taguatinga. ‘Lar de Crianças’ Betel has begun.
1982 A supporter of Betel, Agnes Chagas, gives Pastor Ernesto 2400 acres of land in the State of Goias. With the help of the children, he starts to build the Home and establish a ‘fazenda’ (farm) in the hope that Betel will become a self-sufficient community. Tearfund UK, a UK Christian development and relief charity, helps its development with financial support.
1989 This year sees the start of teams of young people from the UK visiting Betel in August to join in all aspects of life at Betel. They help with construction & maintenance and get to know the children by organising activities and by becoming “uncles & aunts” to them.
1990 At any one time, up to 300 children lived at Fazenda Betel. In 1990 a law is passed requiring that children’s homes must house the children in small units. Today, there are 160 children aged 2 to 18 living at Betel in 7 separate houses - looked after by house parents - plus other small living quarters where older children look after themselves.
2005 Betel celebrates 30 years of care for children and God’s faithfulness!!