Children of Cascalheira and Projeto TAMAR

Last Saturday we took six children of Cascalheira to Projeto TAMAR in Praia do Forte. It was prearranged with TAMAR and we had our own educational guide. He was great with the kids. To see the children out of their very poor and sad element was touching. They were able to run around, touch a stingray, view other sea animals such as sharks, turtles and different fish. Before going into TAMAR we had lunch. What a bunch of hungry little ones. Later walking through town we met up with some clowns who were out to make some children happy. Of course ending the day with ice-cream was special. A fabulous day we all had. Our dear friend Sueli has been incredible, by now she too knows the children and being from the same area she has been tremendously helpful. It truly felt very good to make a difference in some children's lives, even if it was for one day.

School Supplies for Children

February is a new school year in Brazil. We were at Cascalheira visiting and catching up with Joao's house. Unbeknownst to us it was a few days before school started and the children were begging to please get school supplies for them. The next day we went school supply shopping for about 10 children, purchasing notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners and backpacks. It has been our experience that whatever we purchase is never enough, because there are so many of them. So we did buy some extra supplies (and it still it was not enough). The following day the items were given out. Parents and children were very happy. Some of them asked for shoes, most of them do not have proper shoes, just flip flops. One boy, Bruno asked me privately if we could please bring him a pair of sneakers and if we could meet him early before school started so he could wear the shoes to school. We told him he will have his shoes. Unfortunately it could not work out to meet him early, but he did get his shoes. After the school supply distribution many children came up to us with little notes with their name and list of supplies (pictures at the end). It would be nice if the schools would give these basic tools to these children.

Joao & Vera

Joao, Vera and their three children live in very sad and poor conditions. Dark, dusty, a mostly empty refrigerator (few items in there probably just to keep the bugs out) that is very rusty and barely working and their beds are what makes up this shanty home. On January 9, 2009 construction materials were delivered to them to build their house. Their home, made of pieces of scrap wood and metals hopefully soon will be no longer. Vera and her children seem to be sickly each time we visit. Looking at their environment it's understandable. Two friends and neighbors are helping Joao build his house. They are unemployed, Vera will make some meals in exchange for the labor. One of the helper's asked if we could help him by buying him a mattress. This was so disturbing because I couldn't imagine where he was sleeping if he had no mattress. Of course we purchased a simple mattress for R$60. He was happy. Pictures of the construction of the walls of the house was taken on Sunday, January 25. It is coming along.