Cross Cultural Solutions Day Five – Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

Me with the Kids of Fructos De Maes Daycare School

 I finally found an internet cafe with USB ports so I can upload some photos and videos from the daycare center I am working in. The kids are absolutely precious. This morning we worked on a coloring project for Day of Folklore, which is August 22 here is Brazil. 2 years olds like to color and crayons have become my best friend. I wanted to give you a little more sense about my daily life in the Volunteer house for Cross Cultural Solutions. There are a group of about 40 of us, some from the States, but we also have a young lady from Colombia (the country not the university) several from Canada, and a good cross-section of the geographical regions of the United States.  We live communally, in dorm style rooms, with bunk beds, a communal dining room, several indoor and outdoor living areas.  In addition to our volunteer work, the wonderful Cross Cultural Solutions staff help immerse us into the unique culture of Bahia. We had a tour of this wonderful city of Salvador, with churches and museums that will take your breath away.

The food at the house is home cooking, and Laura and her staff in the kitchen keep us well fed with wonderful Brazilian cuisine. The fruit down here is to die for. The coffee is so good I don´t know how I am going to adjust to the brown water they call coffee in New York when I return. The Ice Cream is heaven, absolutely the best I have ever had. And the volunteer house is a convenient walk to one of the worlds most beautiful beaches

To get back to the volunteers, we are diverse. There are a bunch of twenty somethings in college or just out of college, and they are all very substantial, there majors are nursing, teaching, medicine, international relations. Yes, they came to have a good time, but they also see a world that needs changing and are doing their part. It makes me feel good and I am humbled by their enthusiasm. We also have a family who is doing this volunteer work as their vacation, Kip, Yvette, Colin, Carter, and Jack, and a father and daughter team.  Together we are working with children and the elderly from the poorest sections of Salvador.  We are also getting some language immersion and cultural immersion. Two nights ago, I got to witness Brazil´s true religion – soccer for my American readers, football for the rest of the world. Last night, before dinner, I had a Portuguese lesson and the teacher Marina made it fun by having us play BINGO in Portuguese. A great way to learn the numbers.

I can´t say enough about the staff of CCS Brazil and their professionalism and welcoming attitude. They are so helpful and encourage us in our volunteer work and help us navigate the city and make suggestions for cultural activities and culinary delights. 

I am now about to head to the beach for a while, and then tonight I will attend the Ballet Folkclorico de Bahia, a dance performance that is not traditional ballet, but reflects the African culture that is highly predominant in Bahia, and Salvador in particular. So tomorrow´s post I hope to have some photos of my little kids from the day care center.  I can almost guarantee you will fall in love.  I may just have to bring a few of them back to me and declare them at customs.  Well, it´s off to the Beach and then the Ballet, and tomorrow, my final day at my volunteer placement. Tomorrow´s ´plan is to have the kids color something for Father´s Day, which is the second Sunday of August in Brazil

Ate logo from Bahia

Cross Cultural Solutions – Day Four, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil

The Children of Fructos De Maes Daycare School, Salvador, Brazil

Boa noite from Brasil. I am sitting tonight in an internet cafe writing this blog post, I know I promised photos but technology is not cooperating. It´s too bad because I have some breathtaking photos and heartbreaking photos.  This is Day four of being in Brasil and my third day volunteering in The Frutos De Maes Daycare School. I work in a class of 30 2 year old children who come from the poorest favellas in Salvador.  Most of their homes are built on stilts above rancid water with the bare minimum of sanitary and utilities. Tia Mira, the founder of The Frutos De Maes Daycare School, is a local hereo. She took over an abandoned factory that was a hang out for drug dealers and got the fathers of the community to rebuild it into a daycare center where kids get fed, bathed, educated, played with and most importantly, loved.  I have learned that over the last three days crayons, paper, bubbles, and stickers are my best friends.  I am basically a teachers aid, I come in at 8 in the morning and help get the kids settled in and get their breakfast.  My other comrade in arms, lacey and I organize one or two activities to keep the kids occupied,  Today it was ballons with smiley faces drawn on them. Today they also had to get their shots which was unpleasant but a little hug from Tio (Uncle) thats what they call me does the trick.  Spent the afternoon at the beach, after a fairly good morning workout.  This is the hardest job I ever loved. These kids have really gotten under my skin.  I do have a soft side.  For more information on Cross Cultural Solutions, visit their website. I have to head back to the volunteer house and get ready for my day at the daycare center

Boa noite!

Scott