My Volunteer Programme in Salvador - Brazil 2011

After my wonderful and rewarding experience in Salvador 2009 where I taught English to
local communities I am drawn back again to help in these worthwhile projects.
This time I am going fully prepared having planned my own English teaching Audio Visual course.

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.

During my programme I can be contacted at: bibliophotography@googlemail.com

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Weekend 15/16^th October

Once again I relaxed and escaped from the City of Salvador to the enchanting Praia do Forte – my ultimate Caribbean hideaway. With its endless miles of swaying palms, warm waters, golden sands, boutiques, restaurants it is truly my idea of a holiday paradise – just look at the photos below.

This time I had company to enjoy the experience whereas the first two times I was on my own. So much better to share the pleasures of this beautiful resort.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 17/18/19^th October

During this my last week our new teacher, Brian, is joining me teaching the Pombas Class and is already showing signs of being a capable teacher to take over from me –  even though he is American with a different accent. Great joke at my class. Very much revision this week as I have now completed 22 individual lessons. Fun and games for the next two days to lighten the students load. I have a feeling that my last day on Friday will be party day??

Once again I have had a great experience and feel that I have been able to make a little difference to the lives of these lovely students. They have learned much in the last 6 weeks which will certainly help them when looking for jobs in the future.

Thursday 20^th October

All volunteers dined out together at a beachside pizzeria as all of us are leaving this weekend and a new batch of volunteers will arrive. We made so much noise I think we put other potential diners. Lots of speeches and photographs. All great fun. Lovely and lively bunch of people and I shall miss them all.

Party Time - last day

My last day today so I thought we would only be doing a little teaching followed by a few drinks before saying goodbye. How wrong can you be? My suspicions were aroused as we were very late in arriving at my placement. The students had told Vini, my manager, not to bring me in until 9.00.

I walked in to be confronted by all my 10 students wearing identical T-shirts all printed with photographs from my birthday party. The room was full of balloons, streamers printed with lovely words and a massive table of food and drink. I was absolutely choked up and tears came to my eyes. Such wonderful appreciation of my work there by these lovely thoughtful people left me without words. They bought me a matching T-shirt that I had to wear for the photographs and video. One girl wrote a very moving note of appreciation and thanks, in English, that showed me how much she had improved. We ate, played music, danced and chatted for two hours.

Once again I have had a great experience and feel that I have been able to make a little difference to the lives of these lovely students. They have learned much in the last 6 weeks which will certainly help them when looking for jobs in the future.

I very much hope to be able to come back again next year.

Tchau