One of the reasons I loved teaching Kindergarten was because of the “community” approach that teachers use in kindergarten. So much of the students’ time in kindergarten is spent in small groups with the kids helping the others in their groups. I was always surprised by how the kindergartners could teach each other better than I could teach them! Somehow, this “community” feeling is lost by the time American students reach high school and the academic competition is so fierce, it often feels like “each man for himself.”.JPG)
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But, the PRECE movement embodies this same “community of learning” style. The PRECE students work for the success of all. Probably the most impressive day I had here was when students came together to take the ENEM test. (like our SATs, but much more intense- two entire afternoons spent in grueling testing of chemistry, physics, geography, biology, Portuguese, foreign language and history!) In the U.S., we, as parents, wish our children well, and then send them off on their own to take the SAT test. But the PRECE movement and its cooperative learning sister group at UFC takes a different approach. Not only do these students, who are now at the University, come back to their hometowns each weekend to help teach those trying to prepare for the ENEM, but, on the day of the test they host a “pep rally” for them, complete with speakers (the Secretary of 
Education for the state of Cearà spoke, as well as Manoel Andrade, the founder of PRECE, and PRECE students now at the University, and even Kacy!). PRECE University students distributed bags of good luck goodies, t-shirts and even lunch. The PRECE community wanted everyone, not just those studying through PRECE, to know that PRECE was giving them their support and hoped that they would do well on the test. There were about 150 PRECE and Cooperative Learning students from the University there, with about 700 students taking the ENEM. As one of Kacy’s English students, Maraiza, said “Happiness is in sharing.” If only everyone could share this philosophy of building each other up and supporting the success of all as PRECE does..JPG)
Education for the state of Cearà spoke, as well as Manoel Andrade, the founder of PRECE, and PRECE students now at the University, and even Kacy!). PRECE University students distributed bags of good luck goodies, t-shirts and even lunch. The PRECE community wanted everyone, not just those studying through PRECE, to know that PRECE was giving them their support and hoped that they would do well on the test. There were about 150 PRECE and Cooperative Learning students from the University there, with about 700 students taking the ENEM. As one of Kacy’s English students, Maraiza, said “Happiness is in sharing.” If only everyone could share this philosophy of building each other up and supporting the success of all as PRECE does..JPG)
On another note, my visit to Fortaleza and the countryside has been such an unbelievable experience. Because I cannot help comparing (being the competitive person that I am!), here are a few thoughts about the city and surroundings:
1) Brasil, as a country, is very forward thinking in its approach to alternate energy. Cars can use either/both ethanol or gasoline. There are windmills everywhere. This is good!
2) The people here are so friendly. Hospitality in Brasil is a top priority and everywhere I have gone I feel as if I am welcomed as part of the family. I am so grateful for this.
3) The food, though different, is excellent. I have perfected the phrase “muito delicioso” to compliment the chefs. Of every new dish I have tried the only thing I don’t like is the Brasilian version of tapioca.
1) Brasil, as a country, is very forward thinking in its approach to alternate energy. Cars can use either/both ethanol or gasoline. There are windmills everywhere. This is good!
2) The people here are so friendly. Hospitality in Brasil is a top priority and everywhere I have gone I feel as if I am welcomed as part of the family. I am so grateful for this.
3) The food, though different, is excellent. I have perfected the phrase “muito delicioso” to compliment the chefs. Of every new dish I have tried the only thing I don’t like is the Brasilian version of tapioca.
What is not so impressive to me (Kacy says I would get used to some of these things, but I am truly doubtful!):
1) The heat. This place makes Florida in July seem like an icebox! Most of the chairs are plastic, and I was always in a panic that when I stood up, my chair would come with me!
2) The traffic. The people of Fortaleza have perfected to an art the ability to turn 2 lanes of traffic into 4. One has to drive with one hand on the wheel and one hand on the horn! And motorcycles have their own lane- the white line down the middle of the two lanes, weaving right and left whenever traffic is not moving fast enough to suit them! And traveling in the countryside is even rougher, mainly brick roads in the town, or dirt roads in the countryside. In the countryside, as many as 3 or 4 ride on a motorcycle- usually children straddled between the adults!
3) The cold water. Luckily, I had no frogs in my shower as Kacy experienced, and really cold showers are somewhat refreshing (remember the heat I mentioned earlier?). However, in my stupid naivety, I thought only the showers would be cold- no, no, there is no hot water to be found anywhere(the sinks for washing dishes!) except in the very wealthy homes, which brings me to the last point.
4) The poverty. It seems, in my very American way of thinking and comparison, that there are only two classes- the very few wealthy and the very many who live in, according to American standards, poverty or extreme poverty. However, as Jorge, the coordinator of EPC Ombreira, said, that because of the policies that Lula (the President of Brasil), has put in place, much progress has been made for impoverished communities and there is hope for the future.
1) The heat. This place makes Florida in July seem like an icebox! Most of the chairs are plastic, and I was always in a panic that when I stood up, my chair would come with me!
2) The traffic. The people of Fortaleza have perfected to an art the ability to turn 2 lanes of traffic into 4. One has to drive with one hand on the wheel and one hand on the horn! And motorcycles have their own lane- the white line down the middle of the two lanes, weaving right and left whenever traffic is not moving fast enough to suit them! And traveling in the countryside is even rougher, mainly brick roads in the town, or dirt roads in the countryside. In the countryside, as many as 3 or 4 ride on a motorcycle- usually children straddled between the adults!3) The cold water. Luckily, I had no frogs in my shower as Kacy experienced, and really cold showers are somewhat refreshing (remember the heat I mentioned earlier?). However, in my stupid naivety, I thought only the showers would be cold- no, no, there is no hot water to be found anywhere(the sinks for washing dishes!) except in the very wealthy homes, which brings me to the last point.
4) The poverty. It seems, in my very American way of thinking and comparison, that there are only two classes- the very few wealthy and the very many who live in, according to American standards, poverty or extreme poverty. However, as Jorge, the coordinator of EPC Ombreira, said, that because of the policies that Lula (the President of Brasil), has put in place, much progress has been made for impoverished communities and there is hope for the future.Despite the small inconveniences, I have enjoyed my stay here; have been so impressed by the PRECE movement’s approach to education and community empowerment, and most of all have loved being with Kacy and have been able to witness her happiness in following her passion.
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