Volunteer in Brazil – News
New IT Suite at Cristino Castro Agricultural College
VinB continues to support the Agricultural College in Cristino Castro. The college provides young people from the region with a broad based education with agriculture at its heart. The new information technology suite will enable students to access the latest information and research into how to improve agricultural outputs in semi arid regions.
Paulo Sergio’s Fish Farm
Meet Paulo Sergio, one of the beneficiaries of the micro-loans programme. Paulo proudly shows off one of the many healthy looking fish that he has reared in a fish tank built with the support of VinB.
Vanessa & Sari’s Visit
In March 2024 the Trustees were delighted to receive a visit from Vanessa and Sari, two former volunteers from the Assumption Lay Volunteer Programme, who worked in the Kids Kabin project in Newcastle. VinB has supported the Assumption Volunteer Programme in Newcastle and Rio de Janeiro for many years now.
Our Agronomist Oliveira
Our Agronomist in Cristino Castro, Oliveira, continues to provide technical support to the families and communities that participate in the Volunteer in Brazil micro projects programme.
Oliveira’s experience and expertise is invaluable to the beneficiaries and to the trustees.
Oliveira sends detailed monthly reports and new project proposals to the trustees.
Once the new project proposals have been analysed and approved Oliveira arranges the transfer of resources, he supports the implementation of the projects and monitors their development.
Six New Projects in 2023
In 2023 we saw the implementation of six new projects including organic vegetable production, rearing free range chickens, the planting of fruit trees and the creation of fish tanks.
Beth, Eduardo & Bia’s Visit
In October 2023 we welcomed a visit from Beth Sarlo and her husband Eduardo and their daughter Bia.
For many years Beth coordinated the Living and Learning project in the Santa Teresa district of Rio de Janeiro.
The project , supported by Volunteer in Brazil, provided educational opportunities for children and families living in some of the poorest areas of Rio.
Monica’s Passing
In 2023 we recieved the sad news that Monica, one of the key facilitators of the Living & Learning project had died.
Beth pays tribute to her:
“I am very thankful I met Monica, who left us so early! She was the heart of the project and a second mum to the children and the staff. More than a friend, she was a teacher. She taught me to understand her world and her neighbour’s lives, who are somehow invisible to our society. Thanks to her I have a better understanding not only about our society, but also about her precious community values”.
Vanessa’s Volunteering
In 2022 – 2023 Vanessa Lima Martins from Cristino Castro N.E. Brazil spent a year volunteering in a project run by the Assumption Sisters in Newcastle.
Vanessa worked in the Kids Cabin project that provides art, craft, adventure and educational activities to children from underpriviledged backgrounds in the Walker district of Newcastle.
Volunteer in Brazil works with the Assumption project in providing opportunities for volunteering.
School Visit
A lively group of city school children were taken on a colourful journey to Amazonia, to experience life as an indigenous community whose traditional way of life is only saved by a dramatic court judgement. Volunteer in Brazil trustees and volunteers guided enthusiastic children through the regular tasks of building shelters, lighting fires, collecting water, preparing herbal remedies and creating celebrations that acknowledge the value of all life.
“Best school trip ever.”
“Was it real?”
“I’m going to tell my mum about it.”
Tom and Favela Brass
We were really pleased to have the following upbeat news from Tom. Good luck Tom. We are sure you will ‘swing it’ with the finance.
Baby Shower
Rose, you may remember, worked at the convent in Rio and then as a volunteer in Newcastle where she met and fell in love with Anthony. Their baby is due soon.
Trustees are claiming it as a Volunteer in Brazil baby!