visit to an aid project in the slums
Thanks to my Portuguese teacher in Switzerland, I had the opportunity to "Familles de Béthanie" (Mission de la communauté du Verbe de Vie) in Lauro de Freitas (in the vicinity of the airport of Salvador da Bahia) to visit.
There are the children of the neighboring favela the opportunity to be what they really are: children! can play in the nursery it, laugh and learn how to treat each other decently and respected. Also offered are courses for young mothers about baby care and education, as most women inexperienced and overwhelmed with her role as mother. The Missionaries visit the families in the slums and invite them to celebrate with them the fair.
I took telephone contact with one of the sisters and they told me the way and promised me at the bus stop to pick up. But the bus driver would not let me first get out, because he thought it was too dangerous for me here. If it was up to him, I should go to one of these beautiful beaches, where all the other tourists are. But I would not. Today I wanted to experience a different side of Brazil.
The reception at the house of the Missionaries was very cordial. But somehow I was embarrassed a bit, because although I am Catholic, but not very religious, and rarely go to church. I was really touched when we went to the playground and the children filled with joy were upon us. I was happy and sad at the same time. Happy to see these children smile and that they could be ready with a visit to such a joy, and sad because I saw poor and miserable conditions under which these people lived.
the children sang and danced for us. And I diligently distributed kisses and hugs, because they constantly "Beijos" required. Oh, that was beautiful and touching. But not all children were so open-hearted. Some were watching me with caution and at a distance. A missionary told me that some children are abused in their family. It is difficult for them to be able to trust someone.
We ran with the children from the slum and visited some families. Many women live with their 10 children in a tiny space in a house. Often the man / men has long been made of it and left the woman with the many children in the lurch. Unfortunately, some girls and women work as prostitutes and are pregnant by the suitors. A 22-year-old woman has already 5 children, the oldest is 9 years old. You see the people that they have been through a lot in her life. Few have a job, many mothers send their young children in the city to beg and work.
Have fun making the kids my digital camera. They stood in pose and wanted to be photographed. Of course they knew that they themselves can then marvel at. From this, they could not get enough. They led me proudly to her house and ask me if I could take a picture of it.
This afternoon was a very special experience. I felt confused when I gave the children the last time a Beijo and said goodbye. I could go back in a world of luxury where I am protected, where I am treated with respect, where every day I do not must fight for survival, where I have food and drink in abundance, where I as a young woman the opportunity to train and work.
Much of what these people can only dream of, because they must stay where they are. And yet they welcomed me, "the stranger" warm, gifted me with homemade water ice and sometimes I even feel that I meet here for more smiling faces than on Swiss roads.
Brazil for me as a tourist paradise, but for many locals to hell.