"Quero Falar de Uma Coisa"- In English

This is the poem "Quero Falar de Uma Coisa" by Aurenir Luz which has been translated in to English.  The poem tells the story of PRECE.  

I want to talk about something…

Actually, I want to talk about a people, of a group who decided to no longer let their destinies pass them by and the smiles of young boys and girls be stolen.

Of a people, who despite being born in the semi-arid rural community of Ceará, never failed to care for the bud, sowing seeds of hope and love, even when the odds were stacked against them.

I want to talk about a stubborn people who met in an old abandoned flour mill in the light of lamps and the light of cooperation, in search of a new path a new time and a new story.

I want to talk about a people who decided to support others even though they didn´t even believe that the son of a farmer could be admitted to the university.

I want to talk about a people who sowed the seeds of hope, and who through solidarity, became teachers, professionals with masters and doctoral degrees.  Of a people who didn´t know the future but were certain that their lives would not be a repetition of the past. Of a people who shared knowledge, food, suffering and dreams and who faced the tedious task of studying for hours on end each night. 

I want to talk about resilience, about life stories, of sons and daughters, of mothers and fathers who had the opportunity to write, and more than this, had the capacity to change their own history.

I want to talk about a people who lived on the margins, who didn´t have access, who were excluded and a people who turned in to autonomous leaders.

I want to talk about a person, that even after having a family, dared to defy the laws of time and the generalizations of society and entered the university alongside his daughter.  Of a people who open the doors of their home, share their life and build a school.

I want to talk about an attitude, or of various attitudes, of a new culture of not being only one but a part of the whole.  Of a new people who don´t give up, who defy the rain, the dust, the mud and oblivious faces of politicians who hold the power.

I want to talk about a people who resist the weathering of time and study under a tree, in town squares, under thatched roof tents and in friends´ homes.  Of a people who take to the highways at night and wake up early to cooperate and share with those who still have much to learn.

I want to talk about a people who trade their weekends of leisure to give classes in composition, biology, chemistry, and through the classes create a social contribution of cooperative learning and mutual education.

I want to talk about a youth movement called PRECE that is now 17 years old but has the mannerism of a 30 year old who has already lived many experience, and a story that is told by each of the PRECISTAS. 

And, as stated by the inspiring music of Milton Nascimento, PRECE is and always be heart, youth and faith.