How Proud Are You? Very, Very Proud!

Happy Pink Saturday!!!!!

Please join with all the ladies at How Sweet the Sound,

and most important,

go around and leave a comment or two,

let them know you were there.

So now to my post.

My youngest daughter won a teaching award this year.

And that meant that she was able to go to Brazil to learn about the educational system there. A wonderful opportunity. She has been asked to write about her opportunity and has given me permission  to share a part of it here. Thanks!

This summer I had the amazing opportunity of traveling to Brazil. The goal of our group was to create our own global perspective by learning about a culture other than our own.

We visited four schools, two in Sao Paulo and two in Rio. Each school had a unique partnership with a local business. In Sao Paulo we saw a high school and an elementary school, and in Rio we went to a technology high school, and then a middle school. At each school we watched instruction, talked with teachers and students. In the high schools we were lucky to have students that spoke English and who could answer our questions. When we went to the Elementary school in Sao Paulo, we had three older students who translated for us. In the elementary school, the students allowed us to be a part of their classrooms.

While we traveled in Brazil, the people were in the middle of protesting. It was interesting for us.  At the high schools we were able to talk with the students and get their take on the national protests. These 16 and 17 year old students talked to us about how empowered they felt protesting, and getting a chance to ask their government to give the people more. They specifically wanted to know where their tax money goes, and to know why their schools go without.

Part of the journey journey included learning about the Brazilian culture. We ate authentic and delicious food, attended the Afro-Brazilian museum, we saw a neighborhood dance group and an adult dance troop. We visited local monuments, went to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer. 

A major highlight of the trip was Meninos de Morumbi, a performance group from the Morumbi Neighborhood. An amazing man, Flávio Pimenta started teaching the children in his neighborhood how to play music as a way to keep them off the streets. Now he has 200 students that he works with, teaching them to play music, dance and sing. When we met him he talked 

about the importance of providing his students with another choice, and showing them that they did not have to sell drugs to survive.

He said that he sucks them in with music, and them gives them values. He brought us up to the top floor where a few kids waited for us. They performed two songs for us, it was overwhelming. You could see the students pride on their faces, and the passion they showed as they performed. They taught us how to play the drums and danced. “We are a band now," Flávio would yell as we completed a drum set together.  It was easy to see right away how he inspires passion and a love for music in each of his students. 

Such an awesome opportunity!

Misha

She had a wonderful trip. 

Then one day in Rio, 

she went walking alone,

she saw a park,

and in the park,

she saw four older men - 80+ years each,

one from Brazil, one from France and two Italians,

they were playing cards,

and asked her to join them.

She didn't understand all they said

 but the Frenchman spoke some English

and she speaks some French

and 

together 

they played cards

for an hour 

or two

and

the men 

won.

But she had the most fun!

Can you imagine?

All the way

up 

the 

mountain

they 

build.