Giving Thanks

Last night I had a great conversation with a wonderful friend. The conversation started with my explanation of why I so desperately need a car and then proceeded to zig and zag all over the place. But he made one comment that summed up the whole 3 hour long encounter. His comment also shed light on all the reasons he was frustrated with me and all the reasons I was frustrated with my life in Brasil.
“Kacy”, he said, “You’ve always had everything you wanted, haven’t you?”.
“No!” I said, adamantly. “My parents made sure that I always had everything I needed, but not everything I wanted.”
“I don’t intend to be mean when I say this,” he said, “but you are sort of… what’s the word in English…”
“Spoiled” I completed his sentence.

In the United States I never considered myself spoiled, and my parents tried so hard not to spoil their children when we were young. But, here in Brasil I am the epitome of spoiled. I have been learning that the things that I have always thought that I need- a car, a computer, hot water, a dryer, etc.- are not necessities in Brasil. They are luxuries. Yes, if I had a car I wouldn’t be car sick every time I travel in the “student bus” to the rural communities. If I had a car I wouldn’t risk dropping my 3 bags filled with all of my teaching materials as I ride on the back of a motorcycle over the dirt/rock roads to each of the PRECE EPCs. Yes, if I had a dryer it wouldn’t take me all day to finish laundry and my clothes wouldn’t be stiff as a board. But, I don’t need these things. As he said, “Kacy, this is not an emergency.”

So, what is the difference between wanting something and needing something? I have been thinking about this a lot because I recently began teaching English classes in a small rural community called Boa Vista. Boa Vista means “good view”. The view there is beautiful looking out on the horizon, but I believe it is even more beautiful looking in at the life within the community. Here the community is full of children, energy and excitement for learning. The children flock to the PRECE EPC each Saturday morning where they are greeted by university students who facilitate learning in various disciplines. No one (other than me) is remotely fazed by the dirt roads they have to walk to get to the school, or the lack of running water or the fact that there are no fans (let alone air conditioning). Last weekend after taking what I call a “bucket bath” (because there is no running water for a shower) I sat on the porch thinking about these things. As I sat there thinking I waved at "D", a 10 year old child who was grinning from ear to ear as he pushed a wheelbarrow over the rocky dirt terrain. The wheelbarrow was carrying the rice and beans needed to provide meals for the family. "D" didn’t need the whole wheat pasta from Whole Foods and the vegan lasagna from Trader Joes. The rice and beans were more than sufficient. And, next to me was "F" who was washing her clothes by hand in a basin of water. She didn’t need to throw her clothes in the hamper to later be washed, bleached, dried and folded by her mother. The bar soap, cold water from the reservoir, hot sun and her hands were sufficient.

I am realizing- slowly but surely- that maybe it isn’t Brasil that needs to change, to grow, to develop, to improve. Maybe it is me. Maybe I need to take a moment to evaluate what is truly important, truly necessary and truly life-giving.

In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday and in an attempt to be grateful and not spoiled :), I have made a list of some of the things I am unbelievably thankful for:
1) The opportunity to live in Brasil and work with an amazing organization, PRECE. There are not words to express how grateful I am to the individual who provided the grant for me to be here. And, I cannot accurately express (especially in Portuguese!) my thanks to the PRECE leaders for inviting me.
2) All of the individuals and families in Brasil who have opened not only their doors to me but also their arms and their hearts. Without their support I would be lost. I would also be more of a nomad than I currently am!
3) To all of my friends and family in the United States who support me through words of encouragement and constant reminders that you haven’t forgotten me. I miss you all so much.
4) To all of my friends, students, and acquaintances in Brasil who have befriended me and have taken the time (and patience) to show me the way.
5) To the PRECE movement itself as it is daily making a difference in the lives of individuals and communities that most need it. Every day I am in awe of your power to transform and empower.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

The Joy of Children

Something happens to many people around adolescence and during early adulthood. We would often say that live “hardens” us. Experiences prove that life isn’t always easy, it isn’t always fun and it definitely isn’t always fair. But, the bliss of being a child is the innocence that helps them remain blinded to the harshness of life. And, their joy, their smiles and their laughter is what reminds the rest of us that our troubles sometimes aren’t as serious as we make them seem.

This past weekend I was blessed to be surrounded by nearly 40 children and young adolescents as we began a new English class in the rural (as in “no running water” rural) community of Boa Vista. These students gather in small groups each Saturday at 8 a.m. to study various subjects with university students- math, science Portuguese. They flock to EPC Boa Vista in groups knowing that this extra opportunity to study is going to give them a “leg up” in 5-10 years when they are trying to enter the university. And, the university students faithfully return to their community to continue the cycle of education and empowerment.

Then, at 9 a.m. everyone walked 10 minutes down the dirt road to the newly built Centro de Inclusão Digital, a beautiful building with a computer lab (internet to come), classroom and library, which the community of Boa Vista earned from the Federal government. There we all joined for English class. The energy and excited chatter of the children helped to keep the class lively and interactive. And, their enthusiasm for learning helped me to relax for a moment and forget the harshness of rural life that engulfs so many. It is their liveliness that gives hope for the future of the rural poor communities and reminds me why I have chosen to spend my time in Brasil working alongside the PRECE movement.

Reflections from mom- Her first time in Brasil...

One of the reasons I loved teaching Kindergarten was because of the “community” approach that teachers use in kindergarten. So much of the students’ time in kindergarten is spent in small groups with the kids helping the others in their groups. I was always surprised by how the kindergartners could teach each other better than I could teach them! Somehow, this “community” feeling is lost by the time American students reach high school and the academic competition is so fierce, it often feels like “each man for himself.”

But, the PRECE movement embodies this same “community of learning” style. The PRECE students work for the success of all. Probably the most impressive day I had here was when students came together to take the ENEM test. (like our SATs, but much more intense- two entire afternoons spent in grueling testing of chemistry, physics, geography, biology, Portuguese, foreign language and history!) In the U.S., we, as parents, wish our children well, and then send them off on their own to take the SAT test. But the PRECE movement and its cooperative learning sister group at UFC takes a different approach. Not only do these students, who are now at the University, come back to their hometowns each weekend to help teach those trying to prepare for the ENEM, but, on the day of the test they host a “pep rally” for them, complete with speakers (the Secretary of Education for the state of Cearà spoke, as well as Manoel Andrade, the founder of PRECE, and PRECE students now at the University, and even Kacy!). PRECE University students distributed bags of good luck goodies, t-shirts and even lunch. The PRECE community wanted everyone, not just those studying through PRECE, to know that PRECE was giving them their support and hoped that they would do well on the test. There were about 150 PRECE and Cooperative Learning students from the University there, with about 700 students taking the ENEM. As one of Kacy’s English students, Maraiza, said “Happiness is in sharing.” If only everyone could share this philosophy of building each other up and supporting the success of all as PRECE does.

On another note, my visit to Fortaleza and the countryside has been such an unbelievable experience. Because I cannot help comparing (being the competitive person that I am!), here are a few thoughts about the city and surroundings:
1) Brasil, as a country, is very forward thinking in its approach to alternate energy. Cars can use either/both ethanol or gasoline. There are windmills everywhere. This is good!
2) The people here are so friendly. Hospitality in Brasil is a top priority and everywhere I have gone I feel as if I am welcomed as part of the family. I am so grateful for this.
3) The food, though different, is excellent. I have perfected the phrase “muito delicioso” to compliment the chefs. Of every new dish I have tried the only thing I don’t like is the Brasilian version of tapioca.

What is not so impressive to me (Kacy says I would get used to some of these things, but I am truly doubtful!):
1) The heat. This place makes Florida in July seem like an icebox! Most of the chairs are plastic, and I was always in a panic that when I stood up, my chair would come with me!
2) The traffic. The people of Fortaleza have perfected to an art the ability to turn 2 lanes of traffic into 4. One has to drive with one hand on the wheel and one hand on the horn! And motorcycles have their own lane- the white line down the middle of the two lanes, weaving right and left whenever traffic is not moving fast enough to suit them! And traveling in the countryside is even rougher, mainly brick roads in the town, or dirt roads in the countryside. In the countryside, as many as 3 or 4 ride on a motorcycle- usually children straddled between the adults!
3) The cold water. Luckily, I had no frogs in my shower as Kacy experienced, and really cold showers are somewhat refreshing (remember the heat I mentioned earlier?). However, in my stupid naivety, I thought only the showers would be cold- no, no, there is no hot water to be found anywhere(the sinks for washing dishes!) except in the very wealthy homes, which brings me to the last point.
4) The poverty. It seems, in my very American way of thinking and comparison, that there are only two classes- the very few wealthy and the very many who live in, according to American standards, poverty or extreme poverty. However, as Jorge, the coordinator of EPC Ombreira, said, that because of the policies that Lula (the President of Brasil), has put in place, much progress has been made for impoverished communities and there is hope for the future.

Despite the small inconveniences, I have enjoyed my stay here; have been so impressed by the PRECE movement’s approach to education and community empowerment, and most of all have loved being with Kacy and have been able to witness her happiness in following her passion.

A Pre-ENEM "Pep Rally"

Think back to the last time you had to take a test... a big test... one that would determine your future. You probably walked in to a cold room- not just the temperature but also the environment- with lines of desks and chairs. If you took the test recently each desk probably had a computer waiting for you. Gripped in your sweaty hands was nothing more than a freshly sharpened #2 pencil and your identification. The receptionist who greeted you was polite and gracious but definitely not friendly and she/he probably didn't do much to ease your anxiety over the impending test. Most likely, your heart was racing and your throat was dry. The environment of the test didn't do much to boost your confidence or set your mind at ease.

Now imagine how differently you would have felt if you had gone to a "pre-test party" designed to help ease your anxieties and show you that an entire community was supporting you. That is what happened Saturday for the students in and around the county of Pentecoste. The ENEM (university entrance exam) took place all over Brazil this weekend. The first part of the test began at 12 noon on Saturday and lasted until 5 p.m. The second part of the test began at 12 noon on Sunday and again lasted all afternoon. Knowing that the students would be anxious and would need motivation and support the PRECE students and UFC Cooperative Learning students gathered together to throw a "pre-test party".

The sight was truly inspiring. Over 150 university students were present showing their support and encouragement for the students who would take the test, and nearly 700 students taking the test arrived for the event. When the students taking the ENEM arrived they received a t-shirt and a kit with a pen, chocolate and a note with words of encouragement. Then, university students joined together with groups with 10-15 students taking the ENEM to share information about the upcoming test. They also shared information about their own experience taking the test and about university life. This was a chance for the students to ask questions, gain clarity, relax a bit and receive support from others who had gone through the testing process not long ago.

After meeting in small groups for about 30 minutes the entire group joined together and received words of encouragement from Prof. Manoel Andrade, Mauricio Holanda, the VP Secretary of Education, and other leaders. These individuals wished the students luck but also complimented the students and their parents on the great achievements they had already made. What an inspiration to have the VP Secretary of Education and other leaders arrive and show support!!!!

The gathering concluded with lunch where students were able to relax a bit knowing that they had a healthy meal before 5 hours of testing. When the students departed to take the test they left knowing that they were encouraged by hundreds of others and that as they took the test they would not be alone. Many supporters would be standing with them, supporting them and praying for them. Imagine the difference this made as the students entered their testing centers. Their sweaty palms and dry throat eased with the realization that an entire community is standing in solidarity with them. The support, encouragement and sense of community provided that morning exemplified the spirit of PRECE and that spirit is what makes all the difference.