Beautiful Children of Cascalheira

The past two Sundays we took four children each time to the mercado. We picked them up from Cascalheira at 8 AM. They were truly in their Sunday's best. Clean, combed and dressed and so very happy. Eating was first. Bellies full we continued on. They were excellently behaved, gentle with each other and with the goods. Look at these pictures, they are like any other child. You would never know they were from poverty and no opportunities.

How sweet is this? Stephanie cleaning Daniela's face.

A vendor with her son posing with us. She kept blessing us for taking these children to the mercado.

Flip flops for each one!

Daniel, Stephanie, Daniela and Francisco. Back home with their goods. We got the best hugs from them and they truly meant it.

First time on a trampoline for Regina and Tamiris.

After the trampoline they were ready to eat.

Odeilson and Felepe. Great boys with their new caps.

Another great Sunday for another great four kids!

What a welcome!

We went to Cascalheira without bringing anything with us. Just to visit and assess what has developed, what is needed to be done, etc. Of course there's no way to let them know we are coming, we just showed up. We always just show up. We had the most warm, friendly and affectionate welcome. The children gave the sweetest hugs, the adults with beautiful smiles and hugs. We have grown to love these incredible people. Look at the smiles. They are in our hearts. They live so simply. Barely anything is in their little shacks. For all of you who have helped and donated, our gratitude is very big. For those who are touched and want to reach out, please do so. As always, any amount is gratefully accepted. I would like to start a literacy/book club. Perhaps starting with a few children, around 8 and have them meet 2 hours 2-3 times a week with a teacher and they would read a book. If anyone has any ideas on how to get this started please email me at jtanyu@aol.com

Winner of Raffle Basket and 50/50 Raffle

Jean from Glen Cove, New York was the lucky winner of the Raffle Basket. Thank you all who donated fabulous items for the raffle basket and thank you for all of you who participated. It was fun!

The next fundraiser for Cascalheira is a 50/50 raffle. Great time for Christmas, Hanukkah or just to have some extra cash. The winner will receive half and Cascalheira will receive the other half of the total amount.

Tickets are $5 each. Cash is preferred. Please send money with your name and telephone number to:
Jessica Torok
P.O. Box 249
Mill Neck, NY 11765

Drawing will be the second week of December. Let's make it a great one!

Thank you!!

Wendy, helping Cascalheira

Please meet Wendy. We have been talking about the village of Cascalheira and she wanted to get involved somehow. A raffle was suggested. The donations of items to create a few raffle baskets has been tremendous. Thank you to all of you who gave. Wendy, being a talented and creative hair stylist is being creative again. She set up the basket at her business, she shows a small photo album of Cascalheira to her clients while she styles their hair. The raffle is $1 or $2 per ticket. This is the second basket that is being raffled off. It's been good. Thank you Wendy. Your care and help is greatly appreciated. It will make a huge difference for the people in Cascalheira.

Raising Money

We are so grateful for the monies we were gifted with for our wedding. All of it will be donated to the needs of Cascalheira. At this time our travel plans for Brazil are for October. We are looking forward to seeing these gentle people, the children, new babies and how Fia and Daniel are doing in their new home. There will be much to do. It's always overwhelming, the need is huge.

"Clean water and health care and school and food and tin roofs, all of these things should constitute a set of basics that people must have as birthrights." Dr. Paul Farmer.
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder

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Before/After Daniel & Fia's House

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Before/After Daniel & Fia's House

How amazing is this before and after picture. He did it. Daniel built his family a little house. The rainy season (fall and winter) is starting. They have a proper house with a roof. No more shanty house. He will finish the floor with concrete. The doors and windows will have to wait until more funds are raised. Thank you to all who believed and cared. Let's continue to help the next family. Hugs and love to all.

Postings from July 2007 - March 2008

The following will link you into each of the postings of Cascalheira,

from July 2007 - March 2008.

Please read at your leisure.

March 26, 2008
~Daniel's House and Some Village Children~

March 11, 2008
~Food Distribution~

March 5, 2008
~Daniels House and Cesta Basica~

December 9, 2007
~Cascalheira Update~

November 7, 2007
~Money For Bricks~

October 28, 2007
~Good News~

October 16, 2007
~Incredible Generosity~

August 31, 2007
~Calling for Help~

August 10, 2007
~Some Very Happy Children~

August 5, 2007
~A Swing Set for Cascalheira~

July 29, 2007
~On the Way to Cascalheira~

July 27, 2007
~Arrived in Brazil~

First posting, April 19, 2007

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Cascalheira Needs Help!
Cascalheira consists of more than 70 homes, and is growing. In Brazil there is something called "invasion". What the poor people do is invade the land. They move onto it and set up their shanty homes. Sometimes they tap into electricity and water nearby. If the property owner has financial issues where taxes are not paid or is about to loose the land due to delinquent payments, the government allows the invadors (squatters) to legally stay on the property. Eventually they have legal electricity and water connected and they start receiving bills. There are so many poor people in Brazil that for a lot of them this is a way of acquiring their home. Sueli, wanted to show us Cascalheira. She also lives in another "invaded" area. She has worked very hard to improve her life. We want to help these people in Cascalheira. Perhaps you will join us?

This is a typical home in Cascalheira.

They need opportunities, they need a chance.

This grandmother wanted to show me her stove.It is next to her, it's a cinder block and a piece of metal.

She asked me for a used sheet for her bed. She lives with three little grandchildren.

Bare little feet. The children asked for flip flops. Also notebooks and pens for school.

It was fun to show digital pictures of the little girls of themselves. They wanted pictures taken over and over again of each other....they giggled a lot.

Sueli with some of the Cascalheira children at a small center that Regina, a wonderful person is starting for the children. We donated powdered milk and bottled water. They need so much more.