All of you have heard me talk about ADEL, the Local Economic Development Agency, which was started by PRECE students and graduates of the Federal University in Ceara. In just 4 years they have already made incredible progress helping the disadvantaged farmers and small business owners in the rural northeastern part of Brasil. They are working together with farmers to teach best practices, developing classes to train youth how to start small businesses and are partnering with organizations all over Brasil and the world to improve their own practices.
They are now in a competition called The Opportunity Project sponsored by Ashoka Changemakers and E-bay. You can help them win $150,000 by following these simple steps:
1) Go to https://www.changemakers.com/node/101640/semifinalists?nocache=1.
2) Click on ADEL and enter in your email address.
3) Open your email and click on the link.
DONE!
And, in these 3 simple steps you can be a part of bringing hope and resources to the local farmers and small business owners here in Ceara. We are so thankful for your support!
Studying at PRECE
Students from PRECE study together under the juazeiro tree in small groups using cooperative learning
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
A Refuge for the Community
When people think of a school they typically think of a building constructed specifically for 
students; a place where teachers can impart knowledge and students can discover their own knowledge. Sometimes we in North-America link schools with sporting teams, academic competitions and musical and theatrical performances. But, never before have I thought of a school as a refuge… until now.
On June 21st a new High School and Professional school was inaugurated in Pentecoste, Ceará, Brasil and it is set to open in August with everything in “full swing” at the start of the 2012 school year. This school will be administered by PRECE leaders, and following in PRECE’s methodology
of Cooperative Learning the school will not only serve high school students but the entire community. The school will offer an E-Jovem course where community members can learn and develop skills needed to work in the I.T. field. The school will offer English classes not only to students but to parents, family members and the broader the community. The school library, gym, auditorium and other facilities will be open to host community events.
One such community event that has already begun (even before the school has opened) is the SuperAção ENEM. These are a series of evenings where every student in the county of Pentecoste who is preparing to take the ENEM
(university entrance exam) is invited to gather together and meet with a university professor who works to motivate them as well as share knowledge and tips needed to succeed when taking the exam. These series of events encourage the students as they are able to receive support from one another and adults who care about their future.
It is a beautiful sight to see a school that is not simply concerned with test scores or teacher tenure, but is truly concerned with meeting the needs of the students and the broader community. I feel blessed to be a part of this school believing fully that it will serve as an example to all
other schools in Ceará.
students; a place where teachers can impart knowledge and students can discover their own knowledge. Sometimes we in North-America link schools with sporting teams, academic competitions and musical and theatrical performances. But, never before have I thought of a school as a refuge… until now.On June 21st a new High School and Professional school was inaugurated in Pentecoste, Ceará, Brasil and it is set to open in August with everything in “full swing” at the start of the 2012 school year. This school will be administered by PRECE leaders, and following in PRECE’s methodology
of Cooperative Learning the school will not only serve high school students but the entire community. The school will offer an E-Jovem course where community members can learn and develop skills needed to work in the I.T. field. The school will offer English classes not only to students but to parents, family members and the broader the community. The school library, gym, auditorium and other facilities will be open to host community events.One such community event that has already begun (even before the school has opened) is the SuperAção ENEM. These are a series of evenings where every student in the county of Pentecoste who is preparing to take the ENEM
(university entrance exam) is invited to gather together and meet with a university professor who works to motivate them as well as share knowledge and tips needed to succeed when taking the exam. These series of events encourage the students as they are able to receive support from one another and adults who care about their future.It is a beautiful sight to see a school that is not simply concerned with test scores or teacher tenure, but is truly concerned with meeting the needs of the students and the broader community. I feel blessed to be a part of this school believing fully that it will serve as an example to all
other schools in Ceará. Sunday, July 10, 2011
Thank you to new and old friends throughout the mid-west!
Cooperative Learning Group
Thank you to Donna and David for hosting us and taking us on all kinds of adventures!
Enjoying lunch with the group from First Presbyterian in Williamsburg, Iowa.
Presenting new PRECE information to the "Brasil Alumni" from the Presbytery of East Iowa.
Thank you Gil, Virginia, Al and Caroline for welcoming us to Iowa. And, thank you for your long-time support of PRECE!
Dinner on the 4th of July in Wabash, IN with the Brubakers and Pastor Aureo.
Brasilians on Bikes! Exploring Wabash, IN.
"PRECE Open House" at my parents' home.
Presenting PRECE at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wabash, IN. We are so happy to have been friends in Indiana!
Hanging out with Presbyterian Pastors after the Brasil Network in Indianapolis. Thank you, Ali, for hosting us while in Indy!
Brainstorming with Rev. Connie Lee. The question at hand- "how can we implement and replicate PRECE in the U.S.A.?"
An amazing meeting with the PCUSA Brasil Network in Indianapolis, IN.
Welcome to Indianapolis. In front of the Indiana History Museum while walking on the Canal downtown.
Thank you Amy and Gavin for hosting us while in Louisville!
ELVIS!!!!! A stop in Nashville, TN.
Meeting new friends, Andy and Adrienne Neale, for lunch in Nashville, TN.
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