Last time I wrote this blog, I mentioned that I was going to do something exciting and I did! I went with two Brazilian friends to a football match held at the Pernambuco Arena which was one of the World Cup stadiums. We went to see Santa Cruz, a team from Recife, play Vasco da Gama, a team from Rio de Janeiro. The stadium was beautiful and the atmosphere was electric at points. I have been to many games in the UK but the noise and intensity when Santa Cruz scored was more than I had ever experienced! Have a look for yourself using the link below.
http://youtu.be/bJON2oiLP2c
An interesting story related to this match was that one of the players who was in the Santa Cruz squad had grown up with his football training at Show de Bola - the project run by at the base where we are staying. Although the player in question did not play on this occasion, it is really exciting to know that the project helped to shape his life and he fulfilled his potential and dream by becoming a professional footballer.
This week, I also helped with the Show de Bola project although I mostly ended up playing 6-a-side football with them. It was great fun to play with them. The various teams (different age categories) were preparing for matches in a large competition this weekend. All the teams played really well and won (if my Portuguese has understood correctly). If you are wondering how good they are, the following video will show you - a great free kick on a dusty pitch.
http://youtu.be/Pc37lkfytn8
This week hasn't all been about football though! On Monday, I spent the day in Hope House with former street boys. It was a great day and included more loom bands, playing football and I was also able to help two of the boys with maths. We were learning about equivalent fractions so we used fruit in the kitchen and had a penalty shootout outside! In the evening, we went with the boys to a funfair in Camaragibe. Although the rides were quite simple in comparison to some of those you might know about, that didn't make them less scary! As a result of a relaxed view to safety, they were actually much more terrifying!
The boys who are Hope House have had several great opportunities this week.
Sunday: they were taken to the beach
Monday: they went to the funfair
Friday: they were part of a fancy dress party
Not every week is like this, but I hope it shows how much the staff who work there try to make their lives the best they can be. The boys also have responsibilities with homework, cleaning and they are expected to do all their washing. However, they also know that if they behave well, they can be rewarded with privileges such as being able to use the washing machine instead of washing by hand.
Finally, I want to share something that touched me on Wednesday evening. During a visit to the streets of Recife in which the main aim is to develop relationships with street families and street children, I was sitting next to a young man who was colouring in a picture using the things we had taken with us. He was in his teens and was really focused on the task and seemed to be enjoying it. It is important to realise that although this may not be normally enjoyed by teenagers in the UK, his life is not like those of teenagers in the UK! When he finished it and had signed it, I was thrilled when he decided to give it to me (see below).
Perhaps that wasn't the final thing...
On the Metro (equivalent to the London Underground) people are not allowed to sell things but they do...a lot! You can buy:
crisps, chocolates, sweets, nuts, popcorn, CDs, combs, small toys, keyrings, water, headphones, sunglasses, jewellery, credit card holders, story books etc
People pay in cash but apparently in Rio, where there is even more that can be bought, they even accept credit card payments!
Bye again!
No comments:
Post a Comment