ENEM 2011

I have a friend who I am constantly relying on for help to complete this task or that task or some other bizarre emergency. With a smile on his face he always responds with a movie quote “it fica feliz em ajudar” which in English means “I am happy to help”. And, the fact of the matter is that he really is happy to do whatever it is I need because he truly gains joy and satisfaction from helping others. Whereas I and most other Americans I know would get frustrated, start making excuses about the other more pressing tasks we have to accomplish and roll our eyes at our seemingly helpless friends, the Brasilians have a different perspective. They, as a people, amaze me with their willingness to put aside their own desires and work for the betterment of others and the betterment of the community.

One of the most beautiful things in the world is watching as persons help others to discover their own knowledge, their own abilities and their own truth. This past weekend more than 100 PRECE university students as well as UFC students who participate in the Cooperative Learning program travelled to Pentecoste to participate in the SuperAção ENEM event which took place before the ENEM (University Entrance Exam). There were 650 students who participated in the event along with many parents and other communities. It was a time when the university students were able to tell the ENEM participants about their experiences studying at the university, answer any and all questions about the exam, and help the students to relax and enter the testing room with a sense of calm. But, most importantly the University students showed the students that they were supported by a great network of people who knew their anxieties and frustrations and were standing by their side in support and solidarity. It was a moment built on collaboration and a desire to support one another. The instinctive nature of the Brasilian people to help their neighbor never ceases to amaze me.

Below are a few quotes from participants taken from the SuperAção ENEM blog:

“I adored it! Congratulations on the success of the event. It is that makes me believe that Pentecoste can be a place of great men. Thanks to the education and to the people who believe that education is the formula to transform the world. Great harvest, friends!” Rosimere Silva

“Ah… I loved SuperAção ENEM, especially when we were in the classrooms [with the university students], that was really cool. And, even better were the people… I loved it! I want more events like this!” Jessica Gamah

Reflections from Kristin Brubaker

When my family first booked our recent trip to Brazil it was too early to really get excited about the vacation. Even in the months and weeks leading up to our departure date (as Kacy was having us run around picking up 'essentials' like a gallon of hand sanitizer and a pound of Craisins) I was too busy to feel much of anything towards our visit. I was vaguely aware that after three months of way too many 12+ hour work days I'd have a break, and I was very much so looking forward to that. But the 12+ hour work days kept me from investing much further thought into my upcoming relaxing, tropical vacation. You can imagine my reaction, then, when I got our itinerary for the trip a few days in advance: our relaxing 'vacation' included close to 20 classes we were to teach and a daily wake up time of 6am!

Although the trip was not what I originally had in mind, it was an amazing and eye opening experience. The students' desire to learn was inspiring, and the school that has been put together in partnership with PRECE has the potential to transform so many lives. In every PRECE stop my father thanked everyone for taking such good care of Kacy. What I saw, though, was more than these people simply opening their arms to Kacy, it was an amazing symbiotic relationship. The success of the environment, communities, and organizations came from working together and depending on each other. Each of the communities we entered thrived assisting each other in ways that we in America wouldn't even consider. Because Kacy has entered these communities with the goal of helping and learning, she in turn has been invited into countless incredible families, including the large amazingly interconnected and close PRECE family. Students help each other, families care for each other, and in the long run individuals grow and succeed because of each other.

What I left with was respect for everyone I met involved in PRECE and their affiliated partners, as well as confidence and amazement at what, if provided the resources they need, these individuals can accomplish. In the long run it might not have been the topical vacation I was looking forward to, but it did offer me an opportunity to open my eyes and learn from others. Plus we did get to visit a beach or two, so all in all, I’d call the vacation a success.

The Brubakers in Brasil

Though they might not believe it and I don’t always show it, my family is the single most important thing in my life. My sister, Kristin, is my heart and soul and she understands me better than anyone else in this world. And, my parents are my guiding lights, my North Star in the dark night. There is famous quote- “The best gifts parents can give children are both roots and wings.” I am firmly grounded in the roots of love, service, peace and joy that my parents provided me, but I soar on the wings of faith they gifted me.

So, it meant the world to me that they travelled to Brasil to visit not only me but also to know better why I feel called me live and work here. Over the past two weeks I was so excited to present the PRECE movement and the new High School and Professional school to them… and also present them to the PRECE students and English students at the High School and Professional school. And, though the oppressive desert heat, the long car rides along dirt roads and the cold showers were not exactly what they had in mind for a family vacation they were excited to get to know PRECE and impressed with all they witnessed.

My family, being the “troopers” that they are followed my normal (well, a slightly watered down version) teaching schedule. They visited each PRECE EPC where they taught English classes and visited with communities. They also helped teach at the new PRECE administered High School and Professional School in Pentecoste. As we left each location my dad gave a speech that went a little like this:
“First, I want to thank you for taking care of my daughter, Kacy. It is difficult for us to be so far away from her, but we know that she is safe with you. Second, I want to tell you how impressed I am with you. I was a teacher for more than 30 years in the United States and it is refreshing to meet young people who don’t take their education for granted, but fight for the opportunities to study and improve their reality. I am encouraged to see the way you are taking responsibility not only for your own future but also the future of everyone around you. Congratulations and keep up the good work.”
It was the same speech for every class, but it came from the bottom of his heart and was filled with sentiments of true astonishment and respect for the progress PRECE is making and at the way PRECE is improving the reality of impoverished communities in Ceará.

On the last night my family was here we had dinner with Prof. Manoel Andrade and Ana Maria. While all of the women were chitchatting on one end of the table I listened in on my dad’s conversation with Andrade. My dad was speaking about how impressed he was with not only the young children to give up their Saturday mornings to study at the Cooperative Learning Schools of PRECE and the youth who live at the PRECE EPCs while studying for the ENEM (university entrance exam) but more so with the university students who return to their home communities each weekend to teach others about the discipline they are studying. This is the same thing that all North Americans say when they first experience PRECE. We all recount stories of our weekends in college- Frat parties until sun rise, tailgating at football games, sleeping until 2 p.m. on Sunday mornings, putting off studying for exams until the night before. None of that included taking a 2 hour bus ride back to our hometowns to teach young children and youth. None of what we experienced on the weekends during college was about giving of ourselves to better the lives of another. None of it was altruistic. All of what PRECE does is altruistic. My father completed his comments by saying, “PRECE isn’t about the student improving his or her own reality. It is about helping to improve the reality of everyone else. It is about knowing that our work isn’t complete until everyone has succeeded. It is about community.”

It was obvious to see that the PRECE movement had deeply impressed my father.

Of course, we worked in some time for fun and friends also!

Our first hosts, Carlos, Tine and Isabela made my family feel welcomed and at home in Brasil as we spent the weekend at their ranch/beach home enjoying delicious dishes prepared by Carlos and great conversation with friends.

And, we were so thankful for the hospitality of the Alves Teixeira family, the Andrade family and Dona Marta who invited us to their homes for meals while in the interior. Thank you!
Luckily, the Wednesday that my family was here was a holiday and we went to Lagoinha with my friends Bianca and Maira, and Maira’s mother. Bianca and Maira are friends from Capoeira and are German so we love to explore Ceará together.

The Oliveira’s welcomed us to their home and treated us to dinner one night when we were in Fortaleza. It was a pleasure for my mom and dad to meet the rest of the Oliveira family as they had already met Pastor Aureo when he stayed at their home in July.
And, because the beaches in Fortaleza and Lagoinha weren’t enough, we took a trip to Jericoarcoara, a world renowned beach and National Preserve. There, with PRECE student and good friend Maraiza we enjoyed 3 days of relaxing on the beach, watching incredible sunsets, drinking fresh tropical juices and enjoying paradise!
All in all, it was an incredible visit.