Help PRECE build its newest school!

Good morning friends!
You have been reading about PRECE and the amazing work that they doing for the past 2 years.  Now is your chance to become involved.  One of the communities (Paramoti) is involved in a GlobalGiving campaign through the Brazil Foundation.  We have only 3 days to raise the rest of the money needed to build the school.  Click on the link below, donate what you can, and become a part of the PRECE story!
Thank you!
Kacy
http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/build-a-school-house-in-paramoti-northeastern-br/

Hospitality and Self-Worth

Recently I have been reflecting on the relationship between hospitality and self-worth.  Northeastern Brazilians are by far the most hospitable and generous people I have ever met in my life.  They will spend their last dime preparing a meal they think that you will enjoy.  They will give up their bed/bedroom and sleep on the floor/hammock so that you are comfortable and well rested. They continually put aside their best interests to focus on the interests of others.  This is especially true for those who live in impoverished communities and inhuman conditions.

When I first visited Northeastern Brazil I, like many other foreigners, took this generosity for granted and just figured it was because they are all nice people.  But, after living in Northeastern Brazil for 2 years I have learned that this hospitality is more than just a result of being a nice group of people.  This hospitality and generosity is buried beneath layers of humility and sadly a considerable amount of lack of self-worth.

Let’s examine for a moment the North American society I grew up in (*disclaimer- I am white and middle class.  I know that my reality might not be necessarily accurate for all North Americans*). Most Americans, when hosting a dinner party, will prepare a dish they love and hope that others will also enjoy.  I have met no American who has given up his master suite and slept on the couch so that his guest is comfortable.  Instead we design guest bedrooms, pull out couches, and trundle beds to accommodate our guests.  We are polite, well-mannered, and kind.  But 9 times out of 10 we put our interests first and care for others 2^nd. Dare I say that this is because since birth we are taught that we are worthy, valuable, deserving, and yes, at times superior to others. 

The poor northeastern Brazilian, however, is not necessary raised with these same beliefs.  He is told by his government (not in words as much as actions) that he is only valuable if he has money.  If he is poor, he might not be deserving of running water, electricity, paved roads and public education.  She, the northeasterner, is told by southern Brazilians that she is uneducated, “backward” and less capable of success than he, the southerner.  And, being born in South America, he is always considered “less than” the North American and his country receives labels such as “developing nation” and he is the recipient of social projects from “developed nations”.  When she looks in the mirror, she sees not only her reflection, but on her shoulders she sees the weight of everyone else she compares herself to. 

Somewhere there must be a way to help the impoverished northeastern Brazilian discover her own worth, while not exalting her to the level of conceit that many North Americans unfortunately display to the rest of the world.  This is where I have seen PRECE step in and make a difference.  PRECE, through education, is teaching young voters not to sell their votes for a little cash but seek out candidates who will represent their best interests.  PRECE, through the weekend educational and recreational programs, is teaching young children that they are capable and worthy of attention, education and resources.  And, through it all they are still remaining grounded in humility and gratitude as proven each time the university students return to their home communities to give back and “pay it forward”.  Through PRECE, the rural poor Northeastern is being shown his great worth and learning self-respect as well as respect for others.  

OUR TRIP TO BOA VISTA AND PRECE PROGRAMS

** Reflections from the Mission team from FPC Atlanta, GA**

We visited the Boa Vista Prece programs championed by Jose Alfredo, one of the early participants in the PRECE initiative for a meeting about how we can assist them. 

This meeting took place in what we would call a remote farmland community and the number of people completing or working on their college degree is amazing.

The meeting began with a presentation by Dan Smith about a technological educational project.  This was followed by comments and ideas.  Ze Alfredo stated that he would like to start small and add more students little by little to achieve success.  Paulo Gleisson spoke as the Facilitator and said that the quality of what they would teach will be important as students learn and they evaluate progress.  It was obvious that they need a coordinating group because they all have other responsibilities.  Ana Claudia shared her excitement and João Alfredo said he will be committed to make it work.  He said, “If we have a strong coordinating group, we will not fail.”

In conclusion, Boa Vista hopes to add cooperative learning techniques and E-learning to advance the kids’ education even more so they will be more prepared for college than their parents.  We are investigating helping them build a program that would serve eventually 20 families and 40 kids as a model for other communities.  We discussed starting small and growing as confidence is gained.

PRECE is now partnered with the State Secretary of Education and the Federal University of Ceará to operate a high school and professional school in a high tech building.  The facility is used for high school as well as after school classes and community programs.