So just after I got done blogging last week, we arrived in Imbau to discover that while we had been at the funeral on Thursday afternoon, they had cancelled PETI for Friday so there were no kids coming for band presentation. We were so frustrated that planned had been changed without us knowing and we had to call the band with only 2 hours notice of our cancelation. Unfortunately this was not the first time we have been left in the dark about a change of plans.. we are working to get the workers better about communication but it takes some time. So we instead spent the afternoon visiting houses to let the kids know about the capoeira events that were taking place Friday night and Saturday afternoon. That night the kids came by bus into Telemaco Borba for a roda with a master of capoeira that came from Curitiba just to do this with our kids! He did all sorts of fun games with them that had them all leaving with big smiles and motivation to return the next day for a course in Imbau. Unfortunately we were still in our week long rainy period so not as many kids as we had hoped showed up but those that were there loved the course! They were all sweaty but happy by the end of a fun relay race that ended the afternoon. Sunday we just relaxed and let the girls rest their tired bodies after a weekend full of capoeira!
This week we had the Project Discovery Center just how we wanted it, with some pillows and all kinds of books, magazines and comics ready to read along with all kinds of games for their use! We even printed several large pictures to show different aspects of the program that decorate the walls. We are so proud of this place :) Since Monday we have been taking several small groups of kids to come and play in one room while the other room is being used to get some extra math help in. Megan has been in charge of that and has really motivated the kids to study a little more and improve their math skills.. it has been awesome to see them get excited about it!
My photography project this week has 4 kids taking self portraits every day this week. The rules are that they have to be the one to take the picture and they are to show five sides of themselves, one each day. It has been challenging for them to think of something creative to display different sides of their personalities. They LOVE to take pictures of themselves so it has also been hard for them to leave only one picture each day after taking about 50! It is exciting for me to really see some of the kids come out of their shells behind the lens of the camera.
This week we have also been frantically getting together our travel plans for camping this weekend with the kids. It was a trip that was originally planned by another teacher who left PETI and now the trip is in our plans. We moved locations to a closer city, Tibagi, to save some money. This week we had to visit houses to get permission from parents as it is an overnight. We will leave Saturday afternoon and return Sunday after lunch. The kids are very excited about the trip and have been full of questions about the plans, what to pack, etc. It should be a lot of fun, just hoping the rain holds out!
With my Thursday morning free for outreach this morning I headed to APAE, the school for children with special needs here in Imbau. I intended to go alone and visit with Dougless, the young boy I met a few months ago when we did the parade with the school, but 2 boys wanted to visit with me so we all headed there together just to see what we could do! We just entered into a classroom and started helping out with there lesson on the sounds of letters. I have never felt such pride in someone as I did in our two students who jumped in and started interacting and helping these other students. I could not stop smiling as we went and played outside with the kids on the playground before being a part of their PE class to end our visit. Before we left, it was one of the boys idea to return and teach the kids how to make some friendship braclets, something I have been teaching them at PETI. I left with my heart full of pride for what these 2 boys had done and I just felt so blessed to witness such a beautiful exchange of love!
I am wishing my family safe travels and a wonderful fall break getaway in NYC! I hope it is a great vacation for all of you.. you deserve it! Keep sending your prayer requests our way and know you are all always in our hearts here in Brazil. God Bless!
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