Brasil: 3a semana

Brasil: 3a Semana

Well my last week has ended and an incredible week it was!!! All the work we've done with the kids was "put to the test" on my last day at the project, I was extremely pleased! And the work continues with them, the two other volunteers I worked with will be staying a while, but what we did work on while I was there was done.

Monday we made posters with information on Tuberculosis, Dengue, STD & AIDS. We also gathered posters that we got from other health departments and put the address to the classroom so that people could come and get more information, and attend the clinic sessions. The children don't run the clinic sessions, instead the project leader and other adults come to the classroom and take BP's and glucose level tests on any adults in the community that are interested. They then give them information (provided by a "Poste de Saude" gov. health dep.) if their results were at an abnormal level. We stayed a bit late finishing the posters and preparing the materials for Wednesday's campaigning, but I was happy that we got it all done. Sonya (the school/project leader) had a lot of great information that has been donated to them. I am grateful, because my Portuguese gramar is not at all near useful. On the other hand, neither is my English because I just spelled "gramar" with one m. ehehee .
We also had a great discussion with the kids. One of the volunteer teachers (not with Iko Poran, she is a school teacher in Rio) began the discussion by talking to the kids about the future. She told them that they should always aspire to do what is in their heart. She cried a bit as she explained how she also came from a very poor family, lived in a favela as well, but aspired to be a teacher and accomplished it. The kids were extremely attentive and receptive to what she had to say. It touched me deeply to listen to her because it reminded me once again how blessed I am. I thought to myself, "... to those who much is given much is required..." I know that to be true and aspire to live up to that responsibility.

Tuesday we went to Corcovado to see the Christes. It was amazing! No, it it was breath taking!!! Its location is very symbolic . It is located it one of the highest points of the city. You can see for miles in all directions, the ocean, the city, the forest, everything! It is now one of the 7 wonders of the world. It was incredible!
Afterwards we decide to go to Copacabana since I had yet to go. 2 taxis, 1 metro, some bargaining and a bus later we finally got to the beach. It was beautiful, it really was. But I must say I didn't really like the "touristy" feeling it has. Either way the beach was beautiful because of Pau de acuar right behind. We walked around and enjoyed the scenery. I must say I got a bit disoriented while at the beach though, because after living in the west coast for so long, I have gotten used to the sun setting at the beach... next thing I knew, the moon was rising from the ocean..beautiful none the less.
Wednesday was my last day at the project, and certainly a very fulfilling one. We began early by distributing the materials and posters to the kids. We then went into their Favela "Moro do URUBU." It was the second time I had been into on, but never as long as I had before. I also got to interact with the people living in the favela. It was great! We put up the posters and handed out brochures. We got to go to one of the local day cares (payed for by the government.) It was neat to see all the young kids. I wanted to take them all home with me! We ten walked by some pretty shady areas where some young teens were walking around with machine guns, some were also sleeping on the ground, kind of all over the place. But we just made sure to be pretty quiet. I had no idea we would be in a situation like that, but I put all my trust in Sonia. And I'm still alive of course. I suppose the only real danger would have probably been to ask the young boys with the weapons, if I could take a picture of them (it was so dang temping though!!!!)
We met some very sick people that day. In particular a woman by the name of Mariza. She has AIDS. She and her 7 year old girl have AIDS and most likely her husband, but he refuses to be diagnosed and or be treated. Unfortunately he left her when he found out she had AIDS. Mariza has had AIDS for 7 years now, but has only known about it for the past 3 years, which is also when they found out her daughter has AIDS (and Hepatitis C.) Mariza has 5 kids. One of her other daughters also has Cerebral Dystrophy. Talking with her is an experience that will be ingrained in me forever. It was very real, had never before spoken to someone with AIDS. It was so eyeopening. I could not believe everything she told us that she has to do for her treatments. She told us that her little girl with AIDS does not always want to go to school or out to play because she is now the "sick girl." Through my broken Portuguese I told Mariza "Voce e uma mulher forte. Deus abençoará a voce." She nodded. I could not help but cry a little bit. Mariza is an incredible mama!

When we got back from the Favela it was time to say goodbye to the kids. I gave them all tons of beijos and hugs! I could not believe that was the end of my time with them. But why make it bitter by being sad, right? I am so extreemly thankful to the Lord for this opportunity. I learned so much from these kids. I learned about many health issues that exist. I cannot believe all the work that was acomplished. I am so extreemly pleased and grateful!

I suppose thursday and friday AND saturday were really what I like to call : "erica has never missed home like this before"... I wont go into the flight mess, I guess I did get to stay in Brazil and extra day, but I certainly was glad to be home when I did. Thank goodness for a really hard working brazilian woman who wouldnt give me her name but did tel me she was the Varig Supervisor. I bought her some chocolates with the last ouple Reais I had, I was soo glad she found a flight for me! Anyhow I thank God I was able to go work in Brazil and that He protected me all the way home.

Thank you all who have supported me in this. To all those who donated you will be receiving a official letter. Muito Obrigada!

I love muito muito!!!

beijos!

eriquita



ps.... when I finally got back to my gate at the airport, I got really hungry and only had like 5 Reais left so I went to find some food. To \my delight I found "little america" which sold everything from expensive chocolate, to expensive um chocolate! A woman walked in the store and asked if there were any places in this part of the airport that sold Salgados...? I was like "Amen Irma!!!!" Man I started to miss Brazil REAL fast!