Thursday 24 November 2011

Update from GapBreak In-Country-Agent in Brazil

Yesterday I went to Florianópolis to visit the group. Oh Gosh, the goodbye will be hard for them and for the kids. Some of the children got so close to the volunteers! One of them, Otavio, started crying when we told Angela was going back home at the end of the month. He hugged her and kept saying (in Portuguese) “I won’t let her go, I won’t let her go…”.

Angela also started to cry and it hurt my heart! Otavio is such a sweet litle boy with a sad background.

We had lunch at a great Japanese restaurant and went to buy paint. We always donate part of the program fee to the projects we send volunteers. So this time they choose paint, a new cabinet and fans for the students rooms. We involved the volunteers on painting and today I just got a picture of the Capoeira room from Angela. They did such a great job, check the pictures!

The volunteers have also fundraised and they bought balls for the kids and will also buy a tennis table, among other things. I told them they could use their money for things for the kids.

They are also having a great time in Florianópolis in general and will be going to Rio next Thursday for 6 days. We will put them in touch with our current volunteers there, so maybe they can do something together.

It was so nice to see them with the hands on, it makes our work so rewarding when we share their enthusiasm! Bye! Rafaela
Keen to volunteer in South America? What about teaching English overseas? Antipodeans Abroad specialises in gap year ideas for Australian and New Zealand students. Find out more at www.antipodeans.com.au.

No comments:

Post a Comment