Hanging Out With High Schoolers

Tuesday was spent at our school in Nova Campina - and we were finally able to spend some time with the high schoolers!  

We began the day by introducing ourselves and our respective countries - it was very interesting, and the students asked very thought-provoking questions!

We then were so honored to participate in handing out awards of achievement for volunteer service.  These teenagers have done some incredible things!  Some of the students were working to prevent Dengue fever; others were volunteering at an animal rescue - stray animals are an issue in this area; other students developed an activity program for the primary kids.  They were all so invested in their projects, and were eager to share their incredible accomplishments with us!

Jayme and I were able to watch several student-produced short films - the screenwriter in me LOVED every second of this!  It is so incredible to be able to see a person's vision come to life on screen - it's so cool when it comes from the creative brain of a young person!  What was so neat about this, also, was that the films were silent - they expressed their ideas without words - very beneficial for visiting teachers who do not speak their language!

The year 3 high schoolers then put on a dance show for us.  They put together a Farro dance - they got all dolled up in their fancy clothes and wowed us with their moves!  You can imagine our surprise when two of the boys came and grabbed Jayme's and my hands to teach us how to dance, too!  

We were introduced to the principal's son - he studied outside of Chicago, and wanted to practice his English - luckily, his presence also benefiitted us - we had an extra translator!

Tuesday was a good day - Jayme and I both left feeling so happy that we had been able to spend so much time interacting with the students.

Primary School!

Having been a middle school teacher for so long, it is always delightful to visit the littles ones in primary!

We had the chance to visit 4 primary schools today.

The staff and students were so wonderful and sweet - and SMART! at all of the schools that we visited.

It is fascinating to see that, despite the differences in language and culture, school is school regardless of where you are!

Alll of the schools put on a some kind of little performance for us to show their knowledge!  

I'm experiencing some technical difficulties at the moment, but the one photo I got to load is one from a preschool classroom in Nova Campina!  The owls were stitched to little pockets, which functioned as a portfolio of student work.  At the end of each semester, parents can take home the work.

Gone fishin'!

Today, Jayme and I were able to spend more time with Ivanete's family and friends at an authentic Brazilian barbeque!

We went to a park to barbeque and fish in a little pond!

Jayme is a competitive barbequerer at her home outside of Atlanta, so she and our pit master were exchanging tips!

In the States, I am used to a gas grill - the open pit was something new and wonderful!  You can't see it from the photo above, but they use these sword-like skewers for the beef - it was intense!

It was such a wonderful time - very informal, and incredibly filling!

After we were all finished eating, we headed down to the lake to fish a little bit.  The fish were scarce, but it was fun to sit by the water and relax with many others in the community!

A Bumpy Adventure!

Today is Saturday, and Ivanete and her sweet friends planned a wonderful trip for us to see Nova Campina from above!

We went to school, and met with many staff members - and a few of their children.  We loaded a school bus (this detail will be more meaningful later!) and headed into the mountains and jungle above Nova Campina.

It felt pretty normal.....until the pavement ended!  We spent most of the day off-roading in a school bus!

Thank God Jayme was with me to hold my hand and talk me off my proverbial motion-sickness cliff - it got a little....intense(?) at times!

After a good number of hairpin turns, and some seriously precarious u-turns, we finally made it to the cliffs above Nova Campina!

It was stunning, to be sure.  We certainly loved spending such time with Ivanete and her wonderful friends and co-workers!

After we returned to school, we were invited to the staff member's house across the street from school.  She had her own farm!  She was so incredibly hospitable - she made sure we were well fed with her homemade queso and peanut sauce - she even invited us to stay the night with her!  While we  respectfully declined that offer, we feel so cared for!

Nova Campina

I don't think I can write this post objectively, as my heart and mind are just filled to the brim with gratitude for the experience that the community of Nova Campina provided Jayme and me with today. We arrived to school, and immediately were met by giant signs, and excited staff and children.

We were so warmly greeted by administration and staff, and were whisked away to the courtyard to be welcomed and entertained by so many talented students!

They sang for us, and put on a play.  A wonderful group of dancers danced for us!

We then were off to have a snack with our new colleagues - Brazilian bananas are amazing - especially when they grow just down the street from where you are eating them!

We didn't know that Ivanete's students were planning a party surprise for us in her classroom!

It is Valentine's Day in Brazil - don't worry, Jayme and I decided to be each other's Valentine!:)

Next, we went back to the courtyard for a Capoiera lesson from some experts!

We all danced a little bit.

A pom and cheer performance and a soccer game later - another play, and more food - Jayme and I are back at the hotel - so filled with love and kindness and feeling the warmth of the beautiful people of Nova Campina.  

This week is going to be so incredible, if only because we get to spend it with the kindest and warmest human beings on the planet.

We can't wait to get started!

The First Few Days

We arrived in Brasilia on Sunday morning after a long flight!  

We got to the hotel, and most of us took a nap.

Later in the afternoon, we headed to a main park.  It was so interesting to see all of the different things to do there!  There were workout stations for the adults - kind of like a jungle gym for big kids!

On Monday, we had trainings on Brazilian culture and history, as well as on the history and issues surrounding the Brazilian educational system.  Later that day, we headed out to get cash and go on a cultural tour.

It was so aggravating and interesting - so many of us had issues getting money from the ATMs!  Something about some banks working at some ATMs, and some not.  It felt like winning the lottery once we finally found the winning ATMs!

On Tuesday, we went to the US Embassy in Brazil.  We had several meetings with the staff there.  It is very interesting - the US and Brazil have mutual interests in the educational systems of the other!  It  was wonderful to be able to hear about the many developments and innovations.

On Wednesday, we had the opportunity to visit two schools: a federal institute and a private school.  The federal institute was very well appointed and gigantic!  They had many program options there, and is geared more to the older teen and adult learner.  The private school was jaw-dropping.  A brand new facility - new technology, many classroom resources - this school was quite impressive!  We were invited to lunch with them, and the food was delicious.

Today, we head to our host communities!

We are excited for the adventure!

It's a Plan!

IREX got in touch with us early this week with our trip specifics!

I was so excited to find out that my program partner is Jayme - she is an incredible high school English teacher from Georgia. 

Jayme and I have had the chance to connect with our new Brazilian colleague, Ivanete.  We are so excited to get to know Ivanete, her colleagues, and her wonderful students!

We will be flying into Brasilia with the entire IREX cohort.  From Brasilia, Jayme and I will be headed to Nova Campina.  After a week with Ivanete and her community, I'm sure we will be so sad to leave - but after that, we will be on our way to Salvador for our final week with the rest of the cohort.

I've found so many beautiful photos and videos of Nova Campina - I know that I will fall in love with the place as much as the people who live there!