My Volunteer Programme in Salvador - Brazil

For my family, friends and for those who have kindly supported me in this worthwhile venture here is a weekly progress report of my placement and how I am able to help in community led projects

Weekend 22^nd October
12 new volunteers arrived today, 11 girls and just one guy. 8 girls are from the USA, one from Australia, one from Canada and one from England. A lively and varied bunch that has brought the place to life.  4 are only here for a week and the others 3-4 weeks. All have interesting stories to tell, It give us old timers a chance to show them around this weekend and show them the ropes. 

Week beginning 24^th October
This is my last serious week of teaching as next week will be spent visiting a hotel with all the students and general revision. I am trying to plan all lessons in advance to give myself a chance to relax a little. Easier said than done.

This week I have again been photographing different placements for Cross Cultural and for the placement themselves as they need the pictures for publicity and fund raising.
 

Madre Tereza (Missionaries of Charity
The Missionaries of Charity is a Religious Congregation, founded by Mother Teresa of Calcutta in 1950. The sisters serve the poorest of the poor, the lowest of the low in 130 countries. The Congregation has been in Brazil since 1979. Alagados was the first house in Brazil. They also have Malvinas Day-care centre in Salvador.

At the Alagados house they receive elderly people, abandoned women and malnourished children. There is also a day care centre for children from 1 to 5 years of age. Twice a week the sisters make home visits to the poorest families helping them materially and spiritually. In Algados they give foodstuffs to 200 families. They do not accept any government help.  They loved having their photos taken with the groups of children and explained to us the workings of their wonderful organisation.

Caasah
CAASAH is a support house for people with HIV positive (AIDS) some of whom come from the streets to live in the house. Also CAASAH gives assistance to out patients’ food supplies and psychological health. Founded in 1999, CAASAH works as a NGO supported by the government and community donations. At the facility there are 83 people – 37 children and 48 adults. The staff is composed of a president, an administrator, full medical staff with specialist resident doctor, nurses, a physiotherapist and a group of in-house volunteers. A very efficient organisation.

Our volunteers assist the staff with their daily care of the children and infants, including bathing, feeding, changing sheets, dressing the kids and playing with them. Volunteer’s work also includes helping the staff with daily activities, ie, playing games, teaching crafts, serving meals and personal care. Photography was limited to those areas and staff that are necessary for promotion and fundraising. A very interesting visit