Rita Conceicao has risen above her impoverished upbringing in Brazil's notorious shantytowns to dedicate her life to the children living in those neighborhoods today. Focusing her abundant strength, creativity and vision, Conceicao co-founded Bahia Street (bahiastreet.org), a school serving impoverished African-Brazilian girls, many of whom have been through the trauma of sexual molestation and violence. Drawing upon Conceicao's deep understanding of the complexities of poverty, racism, and sexism, Bahia Street provides children with educational, health, nutritional and emotional support. Rita Conceicao received a 2008 World of Children Humanitarian Award.