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Contrast between Destitute and Hope

I remember clearly the first time I encountered someone begging for money on the street.  I was 10.  I was in Boston.  And, I was heartbroken.  I remember vividly.  He was playing the saxophone and had the longest locks I had ever seen and sparkling eyes.  He and his music were beautiful.  I remember crying to my dad to give me money to give him.  My dad reminded me that I had my own money.  The saxophone player was not the last houseless person encountered on that trip.  Next, my money went to a man playing the drums.  Then a man with a simple sign requesting help.  My dad and I both left Boston with empty pockets and heavy hearts.

Living in downtown Atlanta and working for a church that was well known and respected for its Community Ministries I became accustomed to the reality of urban homelessness and all of the painful layers that surrounded it.  And dare I say that living in Fortaleza I fear that I have almost become desensitized.  The child who begs for good still breaks my heart, but when the travesty becomes commonplace it no longer shocks the senses.

But, this last weekend as I was travelling along the Federal Interstate to the PRECE EPC in Paramoti I saw something new.  There were individuals and families sitting on the hot black asphalt under the scalding desert sun on the side of a dangerous interstate with hands outstretched.  At first I assumed they were hitch hikers which is very typical.  But, as I paid more attention I noticed that they were not dressed to travel- men in torn shirts, babies in diapers, barefoot women, children without shirts, and no bags or purses.  So, after seeing the 30^th or so person/family I asked my travelling companions what was happening.  They informed me that these individuals and families were begging for money/food and not a lift to the next city.  They come out from their homes nearby and line the road every day.  I was shocked.

1st- what type of governmental/societal system forces (or encourages) families to sit out in the hot sun on the side of a dangerous interstate and trade in their dignity for a little cash?  2^nd- where was the incentive to work and earn an honest a living instead of ask for handouts from the cars that pass by at 80 km per hour? 3^rd- how did this cycle start and what can be done to stop and prevent the despair?

When I arrived at EPC Paramoti I experienced “the other side of the coin”.  The EPC was filled with young university and high school students who were full of hope and promise.  They had determined to take control of their own destiny and pave a better future for themselves, their families, their friends and community.  They asked no one for handouts, but rather requested that others dream with them and walk alongside them to help ensure their dreams become a reality.  Their perspective of a brighter future stood in stark contrast to the despair and destitute I encountered on the drive there.  Reflecting on what I had seen that day, my prayer is not that each of those families receive simply enough change to buy the food they need for the day but rather that the baby in diapers and his sister without a shirt be shown that there is more to live for and hope for than simply survival and that they can change their own destiny and break the cycle of poverty that plagues their family and community.  And maybe, in just a few years we will see a PRECE EPC in their community.

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.

The Audacity to Claim “I built this business by myself!”- Reflections from an American living abroad during an Election Year

Let me begin this blog with a word of warning.  I am writing this reflection as an American living abroad during an American Election Year.  I have no comments about either candidates- President Barack Obama or Gov. Mitt Romney.  Both have their pros and cons and as a registered Independent I tend to vote more for the person/their stance on issues rather than the party.  This is not a political commentary but rather a commentary/critique of recently displayed American arrogance compared with sincere Brazilian struggle.

I am frustrated and disheartened by signs and t-shirts that make the claim “I built this business by myself, not the government.”  Are you aware of the audacity it takes to make a statement such as this?  Let me explain to you a bit about the community where I live in the rural impoverished part of northeastern Brazil. 

This morning as I was driving out of my community I passed a group of 6 men who were building a speed bump on our gravel road because the local government has yet to express an interest in doing so.  The men themselves, not the road crew, took the initiative to provide this basic service for their families and neighbors.  While driving to a nearby community to participate in a conference I passed a young boy who was shoveling dirt from the side of the road in to the deep pot holes that littered the Federal Interstate.  Naturally, this is not the responsibility of a 7 year old, but rather the federal government that has either not shown an interest in does not have the money to build paved roads. 

When I arrived at the conference we told the story of hundreds of students who study under the shade of trees or in abandoned buildings because there are no public schools in their communities and no school buses to drive them the 30+ minutes to go to the nearest public school.  These same students who lack public schools also lack running water in their homes, paved roads, public buses, access to internet and at times access to phones and electricity.

From these impoverished communities more than 500 students have now entered the university and are returning to their communities to improve the quality of life there.  They are taking responsibility for their own destiny with or without the help, support and basic resources provided by the government.

But, there is a popular saying in Brazil.  “Sou Brasileiro. Nunca desisti.”  This means, I am Brazilian  I never give up.”  These people have the right to say.  “I built this by myself, not the government.”  Because, truly, the government has not met their basic needs and they been forced to pave their own way.

So, the next time you step out in your arrogance and claim that you have done everything on your own and the government has not helped you, think twice about what you are saying.  Did you have running water in your house to take a shower and make coffee before you left for work this morning?  Were you able to travel on paved roads to your business?  Do you have electricity at your business to light the building and run the cash register/credit card machine?  Did you come to work feeling relatively safe without the fear of being robbed or attacked?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then realize not only that there is an entire community/country/government that made each “yes” possible, but also that there are others who cannot answer yes to even one of these questions.  And, when you have the audacity to claim that the government does not play a part in you success you are not only insulting the American government but this is a slap in the face to those who truly can claim, “I did it on my own.”  Of course, they, in humility and respect would never make such an ignorant claim.  So, please, think twice about the claims that you make because you not only make yourself look conceited but you offend millions around the world who already view you in a negative light.   

Thank you friends of PRECE

For the past 2 weeks Marilia and I have been travelling around the USA enjoying the fast paced culture, the delicious food, the fabulous people and personalities, and the landscape ranging from large city skylines to rural mid-western farm land.  The purpose of our trip to the USA was 3 fold- we attended a Cooperative Learning Conference at the University of Minnesota led by Roger and David Johnson and Edyth Houlebuc, visited friends and supporters of PRECE and got the chance to do a bit of sightseeing along the way!

 We are so incredibly grateful for the support of all of you!  Thank you to those of you who donated SkyMiles and money for in country travel expenses as well as those of you served as host families as we journeyed from Atlanta to Minneapolis or bought us lunches and dinners along the way.  Thank you to Roger, David, Edyth and all our new friends from the Cooperative Learning Conference who reminded us exactly why we do the work that we do.  We were both extremely motivated by what we experienced and cannot wait to get back to Brasil to implement some new strategies and share our knowledge with others.  Thank you!! Without your help this trip would not be possible and definitely not as much fun.Each time I am back in the USA I am overwhelmed by the support and love I and PRECE receive from all of you.  As I head back to Brasil tomorrow I will carry a piece of you with me.  Thank you!