Joe’s Posts: By way of introduction…
Hello Everyone!
So, finally, I’ve got round to doing some blogging. Since touring the US last year (see http://tri-statetour.blogspot.com), I’ve had a fondness for this particular medium, and so it’s nice to be writing from Brazil. As long as I’ve got computer access, I’ll be posting weekly updates from now on (so check back in the next few days for my highlights from Week 1…hopefully with a few photos thrown in).
But I thought I better start, by a bit (Ok, a lot) of introductory scene-setting. So, enough general rambling. Let’s talk specifics. Where am I, and what am I doing?
To explain to everyone in the UK: I’m staying in the heart of Rio, in a district called Santa Teresa, at ‘CENAM’ - an international centre/convent. I have my own little ‘apartment’, with a kitchen, shower, and sitting room, as well as two bedrooms (the one that is currently free will be occupied in a week-or-two by another Volunteer from England, Laura). My apartment is connected to the main centre buildings, which include the reception, church, and canteen, as well as a picturesque white-stone courtyard, and a tarmac football/basketball(/frisbee) pitch. The latter appears to hang over the edge of the steep hill that the centre is situated on, but provides stunning views of the city (as does my sitting room). From the pitch, both of Rio’s most recognisable landmarks - Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pão de Açucar) and The Statue of Christ (Cristo Redentor) are clearly visible, as well as several beaches, harbours, and slums. The views from the centre are awe-inspiring, and I don’t expect to get used to them. At least, I hope I don’t.
On a lower level of the hill, connected by a outdoor lift (or, for the more enegertically-inclined, lots of stairs) is the classroom complex that consititues ‘The Project’ (O Projeto). This is where I’m volunteering, i.e. teaching English and helping out with whatever else I can. There is about 30 kids, ranging between ages 8-16, that currently attend the project. They come in the afternoon, every weekday, from about 2-5.30. The deal? They can come to the project, to receive more lessons (e.g. in English), smaller class sizes, homework support, access to the swimming pool and aforementioned pitch, and a generally beneficial level of social interaction as long as they attend state school in the morning (which runs until about midday). School, I’m told, is a much less desirable prospect, as well as a less effective form of education, although the students that stick at it/through it and work hard do benefit; hence the reason for motivating them to attend. For learning English with me, they’re split into three age groups, and I teach each age group for two one hour lessons each week. I’m also going to start teaching the project staff for three hours a week in the next week or two.
The kids all live in Rio’s Favelas (slums), and so the project provides a secure, safe, happy environment for them to spend their time in now, as well as fulfilling educational needs for the future, and, vitally, keeping them away from the Favelas’ dominant industry - the drugs trade. The kids themselves? I’ve found them simply awesome so far, warm, friendly, and learning frisbee (my specialism, for those who don’t know!) fast. There’s little outward signs of the often-tragic backstories, and I think that’s credit to the work that’s going on here.
Personally, I’m in Rio for about two months, then I’m heading up to the North East of the country, to the state of Piaui, to Volunteer there. Looking after me here, and deserving a mention on my first blog, is the co-ordinator of the project out here - Beth. Thanks for the welcome message (below!) Beth, and thanks for the welcome generally. She’s been the perfect translator, tour guide, taxi driver, friend and Portugese teacher: Muito Obrigado.
So, all is well, and I look forward to recounting how I’ve actually spent Week 1.
Miss you all back in the UK,
Thanks for reading (and let’s have a decent show of comments - click below on the number of comments to post - to get started),
Joe
x
February 19th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Hi Jose
Fantastic introduction well done! Takes me back to the happy days last summer when J&J were blogging..except that you haven’t described in detail the plate contents of your 3 meals a day! Where’s John..Jake will be wondering too!
So glad that today I can finally venture into the village and now be able to answer the queries of so many friends I meet that are inquiring ‘how’s Joe’?!
A blessing that comes from living in the same local community for all of your 19.5 years! And for being a star of the panto stage of course!
So many thanks to Beth and her family, I can’t thank her enough for looking after ‘my boy’!
Have a great day ‘Sir’ and don’t take ‘no truck’ Davy!
All my love Mum
PS. Don’t forget to clean your ears!
February 19th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Yo Jose
Great first blog
Glad to get the background on O Projeto
What a great name Beth is, and another person with that name who is also multi talented!
According to your Mother ear hygiene is particularly important in Brazil so keep those cotton buds handy!
Love and Blessings
Dxd
February 19th, 2009 at 03:54 pm
Ola José!
What a strange experience to sit down and read a blog entry from back home in the UK; lets hope my commenting will allow me to relieve myself of the of the blog-writing-deprivation fever (or as the experts refer to it… BWDF) I’m now suffering.
My first dilemma has been to choose my commenting code name and, after much deliberation, I’ve decided to settle for an old frisbee nickname which I only ever used due its Brazilian cool factor… Johninho! I’m looking forward to seeing what ‘Papa Chris’ will change his name to, seeing as he is no longer father of one of the bloggers.
Great opening blog entry! It sounds like a simply incredible place to be; to think you’re ACTUALLY in Rio is still surreal. The view from your living room sounds as though it may even top that of a certain living room window in Marin County! The lodgings sound fantastic; just what a J requires (and more) for a 2 month stay in oversees!
Fantastic to hear all about O Projecto and the kids (to hear that Frisbee has been introduced with success is even more fantastic… I’d even go as far as to say fantastico!), and Beth sounds like a wonderful host.
Thats all from me for now… Can’t wait to hear a full account of Week 1!
Keep having a fantastic time,
Johninho
PS. I know ear hygiene in Brazil has already been mentioned by some of the commenting faithful, but I feel compelled to remind you of its severe importance.
February 19th, 2009 at 05:06 pm
Right I am really struggling in posting these things so am going to try till I know what I’m doing.
February 19th, 2009 at 05:17 pm
Right, this is the 6attempt now at posting this! I really hope it works. I was mightly confused by the Mail box first time round, then didn’t understand the ‘please add bit’..I thought it meant add them to the box, however that was incorrect as I have just found out after it said your obviously failed maths…i’m out of touch.
Anyway, here is the message I have been attempting to post, written out 3times!!! Ah! ( I was not intelligent enought to copy and paste obv.)
Hi Joe!!!
And what a first blog it is. It has been the sprinkling of sugar ontop of the otherwise bland weetabix of daily life.
How exciting it is to have the J-blogs back…despite it being minus 1 person
However, I must agree with your mum Joe, are you sure your eating?..A brief mention of a kitchen does not suffice I’m afraid. Concern is creeping in. Also, you learning portugese is most intriging. By the end of your 3month trip I hope for a full blog in your new tongue.
May I just point out that Jacob has not yet commented..he is most definitly slacking…:)
Anyway, must sign off now, HSM3 calls (yeah!! It came out on Monday, you are missing out Joe. Actually, can I send you a copy? Do you reckon that would work? I am being deadly serious here btw….hmm.)
Hope your well, really looking forward to blog 2
Jen
xxx
February 19th, 2009 at 05:19 pm
WOW!!
d) b) B)
:)
CHECK OUT THOSE SMILEY FACES
I dont know if the last few will work…
February 19th, 2009 at 07:53 pm
Dear Joe
It sounds absolutley wonderful, the place and the project. I can understand you being inspired by the children as we were by the FOMO children we made friends with in Malawi. Education is so important in breaking the cycle of poverty and it is great to hear the children are encouraged to attend school every day. We operate the same deal in Malawi the children attend school in the mornings and then come to the centres in the afternoons for food, activites, further education and general care.
Now I am rather concerned with this obsession with your ears, from a nursing point of view I do not recommend poking about in ears!! However I would put hand hygiene at the top of my agenda, make sure you keep you hand gel in your pocket! This is certainly one important way of avoiding tummy upsets. But it sounds like you are in excellent hands with Beth.
John has got the panto DVD,S done and I delivered to Broody today - think he will be excited. Half term is going well, took Mark and David to Manchester on the train and then had a walked in Silverdale on Wednesday. No pepperpot cake this time, but we remembered your 18th birthday walk. Tomorrow FOMO is sending a container to Malawi, so we all need to be up and ready by 7.30am to loaad it up - John Brannagan is acting as foreman to the proceedings- should be interesting!
Great to hear from you, well done and have a great time.
with love from Siren Gillian XXX SIRENS ARISE!!!!!
February 19th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
You are so random with the ‘Please add’ thing!!!
Anyway… Hello Joe! Sounds like you’re having a great time! I’m loving your use of imagery! I can just imagine the place in my head! Am So jealous! It sounds so amazing!
The work sounds good, and you’re both enjoying it and gaining some Kudos from it also. I’m impressed you’ve already managed to infiltrate their minds with the joys of Frisbee too!
Can’t wait for Blog 2!
Till then!
Anna
xxx
February 19th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Ola Joe
I have decided to make sure I keep up with this Blog (rather than my shameful 1 comment left for the trip around America.).
).
It’s nice to hear that you have settled in well, and have already managed to create little Frisbee fans, that you could one day regret if your beaten by a future brazilian, (even worse if they learn to gloat the good old English way, from your lessons!
Joking aside, I hope you enjoy your time in Rio and look forward to reading your future Blogs.
February 19th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
I´m loving to read the posts. It seems that Joe is very popular! Well, it does not surprise me, because we think he is a cool (legal!) person! I am also impressed with the speed that he is learning Portuguese. Believe me, he spoke Portuguese with the children in his first teaching day! As this never happened before with other volunters, the children were confusing and asked me: ‘Does he speaks Portuguese? :-0
About cleaning ears subject, well, maybe a bit of wax is good for now to protect Joe’s ears from the high noise of the funk from the favelas, the loud sound of the carnival samba and the loud sound of the voices of children as well … then don’t worry, if they become very dirty I’ll ask him to clean them. And speaking about ears, in the Rio public telephones are called “big ear” (orelhão). Can anybody imagine why?
February 19th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
Oh! And thanks Joe for all your compliments! But is very easy to have you here with us. Beijos!
February 20th, 2009 at 12:22 am
ola bro!
good to hear everything is fine and thanks for the update! Everyone is asking about you including Hazelwood (i just had a driving lesson) who is a bit concerned you might get kidnapped but i’m sure its nothing to worry about. Perhaps i will direct him here so he can check up on you himself!
Nice too see the ol’ tri state blogging gang is back and i apologise for being so slow off the mark at commenting! Everything is ticking over nicely at home and mum is receiving suitable winding up while England are still not winning cricket matches, nothing has changed! Look forward to the next blog homebrother
sis xxx
PS. i think everyone is forgetting that its also important to clean BEHIND your ears aswell, so dont forget!
February 20th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Hello sir!
First things first: http://www.hygieneexpert.co.uk/EarCareWaxBuildUp.html
Has nobody told you about Brazil and Ear Hygiene? Pull yourself together man… you told me you’d done research!
Secondly, my most sincere apologies about being slow off the blocks in blog commenting. If I felt as audacious as to defend my position, I might argue I was waiting to get a sense of ‘the field’ before I committing myself to paper. But I would just like to second a Ms. Lee’s comment above – I feel like it’s September again and I am getting that tingle down my spine, that very tingle that one gets when one anticipates some great, incredible event about to unfold.
It’s good to hear that you’ve arrived safe and sound. It sounds fantastic! Thanks for the lo-down on the workings of the programme too, at least I can tell people you’re actually doing valued work whilst in an apartment overlooking Rio…in the sunshine…during carnival…
As for me, well things seem to be continuing as per usual. I’m going to a Bop dressed as the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland tonight, so it’s not all partying and fun.
So ciao for now, sir, have a great week
Yours-eagerly-waiting-for-photos-and-the-next-blog,
Jake
x
February 20th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
P.S. Are you sure you’re eating correctly? You have us worried - usually we get at least 60 lines of descriptive prose… and that’s just the starter so if you are in trouble we’ll send some Cheerios (to CHEER up Joe in RIO), falafel (that an ancient Egyptian dish originally made with fava beans don’t you know) and a box of Earl Grey.
Since there is a distinct shortfall of food descriptions, I feel it my duty to step in and give a brief account of my dinner, if only to give those still recovering from the Tri-State Tour blogs temporary release:
Starter: Couscous (Nice)
Main: Lamb (Nice)
Dessert: Baklava (Reet Nice).
There.
February 21st, 2009 at 01:23 am
Heyy!
Right well i’m new to all this commenting business so please bear with me. (This is soo confusing!im writing this for the 4th time now…)
Great to hear that you’ve arrived safely and it sounds like you’re having an amazing time. I’m very jealous of your view, it sounds much better than mine of a dead tree and the laundry room.
And I’m very impressed at your flourishing Portuguese skills - i’m expecting you to be fluent in no time…
Also pleased to hear that you’re spreading your frisbee talents around the world! A challenge for you: what’s frisbee in portuguese?! Im intrigued!
Looking forward to the next blog and some spectacular photos!
Hope all is well,
Frances
xxx
P.s. Just thought I’d add a reminder about ear hygiene in case you’d forgotten. It’s particularly important in South American countries so i’ve heard…
February 21st, 2009 at 02:16 am
Hi!
You described CENAM very well, it’s almost like looking at a picture! You writte very well!
I’m glad that you are enjoying the Project. I think you will enjoy even more when you get attached with children and Brazil.
If you want some help with portuguese, you can ask me, ok? I know that i’ve been often busy, but i will be glad to help when we meet.
Well, it seems that YOU should teach me how to improve my writting! =)
I can’t wait for your future posts!
Bye!
February 21st, 2009 at 02:29 pm
Hi Joe,
This is my 2nd attempt to leave a message for you.I hope I’m successful this time. How are things in Rio? seen any nice Parrots out there. I expect that the panto seems agaes ago to you now. Your time will be filled with all the good works you are doing. John sent me the video of the Panto, so I have had a chance to view it. You and John are outstanding,both giving a great performance.
Keep up the good work, I will be following your blog with interest.
Regards
Phil
February 22nd, 2009 at 10:38 am
Hi Jose,
Well, Joe it sounds like you are settling in very well. It is wonderful to see all your friends participating in your experience - I have not really caught the social networking bug but from all the entries above I can see that it is a very powerful tool for communicating.
It is very pleasing for me to hear that you are really throwing yourself into the project and that your Portuguese is developing well
Laura will be with you on Thursday - I am sure you will make her feel very welcome
Enjoy carnival and give Beth a big hug
Um grande abraco
Joe