Week 1 of work

So the first week of work on the projects has finished. Sorry for the lack of posts - the days have been long. I wake at 630pm, on the bus at 8am - and we're back at 6pm for dinner. We find ourselves pretty worn out by the end of the day. They are noisy days of helping at the school. Been playing a fair bit of football, and helping kids with some hideous Maths problem sheets; the kind that, as a child, seem to go on for eternity and then some. Learning the numbers, and the words for +,-,x,/,=, in portuguese, means you can get a lot done with the children. It's great day by day to see the progress in their understanding of the subject. I tickle them when they do well. When they play, they can get competitive. They rub it in each others face when they score a goal or win. It's difficult to watch them get quite aggressive with each other very rapidly over the smallest things, whether it's not getting a turn at one game, or being tackled unfairly on the football pitch.  They'll get violent sometimes, and there's a lot of shouting. No doubt a reflection of what they may see at home. Nevertheless, they love to be loved. More than anything, my favourite memories from each day is the piggy backs, tickling and hugging. They enjoy that interaction so much - you can see it in their smiles. 

We have 3 more days left on this project before we swap with the other group. I feel this project is somewhat a bit of a haven compared with the other, from what I hear from the other group. By that,  I mean that the other project will be perhaps more emotionally taxing. It will involve work in a centre for street children. We may have the opportunity to go out to them in the mornings, inviting them to come to the centre for a few hours to wash and eat. It has been hard for the other group to see such young and vulnerable people in such a state, some on drugs, some with kids of their own. Beccy, Natalie and Martina, in the other group, come away very exhausted, but not physically. It is hard to see what they see. We will begin on that project on Thursday, I believe. 

One thought that has gone through my mind over the past week is the good work that is done out here, primarily in the name of Religion; in this case Christianity. Last year I participated in a extracurricular one-off seminar discussing religion in the public sphere, in light of the church of England's refusal to admit women bishops. The discussion ended with one guy stating, in short,  that he thought religion was pointless and that the world would be a better place without it; a point that was driven home with an acutely smug tone. Needless to say, I was fuming - I can't recall the last time I have been that angry.  I held back my words, for fear of hurling abuse, or throwing a punch. I am not a violent person (I went to confession shortly after). Anyhow, being out here, and seeing what I am seeing: the good that these projects are doing is changing lives. It brings education, hope, love, encouragement, support; a future, to those without, or lacking in all of these. It is doing patchwork where the government or parents won't/don't. These projects are part of AMAR (meaning love) set up by a nun (learn more by watching this vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VezajvpRt9s&feature=youtube_gdata_player). They seek to serve. They are operated by volunteers or people paid little, who desire to give. I can't think you can sustain the view that the world would be a better place without a religion that reaches out to the poor, and I have the blessing of looking at but a brushstroke of a canvas of good works that people are doing in the name of, and motivated by, their Religion. Religion, not as an institution whose good books such individuals desire to be in, but a religion consisting of people of faith who desire to give of themselves, with no return.

This weekend we relaxed, and saw some sights. On Saturday we went to the Botanical Gardens - i got some fantastic photos, but theyre on film so i cant upload them. After, we went swimming at Ipanema Beach and went for drinks in Santa Teresa in the eve. Today we went to a solemn high mass at a monastery in the city. It was beautiful. Afterwards, some of the girls went to Copacabana beach to swim again. I found a bar, and waited with a few beers. Works starts again tomorrow.