This week
has been a very busy one as the holidays are approaching. Family is very
important to the favela and there are many family type events now going on.
Every year I try to find two projects that I feel there is a great need to
help. Many schools and NGO’s here get help but there are many who don’t. Leidy
Martins of the Creche Municipal Castelinho da Rocinha (a daycare) had sent a
list out to many people regarding the need for toys for kids aged 3-4 years
old.
I received
this list:
2 Superman dolls
1 Patati & Patata clown dolls
1 Airplane
2 Ironman dolls
2 Hulk dolls
2 Capitan America dolls
1 Helicopter
3 Batman dolls
2 Dinosaurs
1 Airplane
2 Ironman dolls
2 Hulk dolls
2 Capitan America dolls
1 Helicopter
3 Batman dolls
2 Dinosaurs
All gifts bought and wrapped ready to go.
Each gift I wanted to spend between 15-20 reais
for each present. So it was good that I could buy 16 gifts. The great thing
about this daycare is that it serves many children. There were others who also
contributed to this effort which is good because then I can help other
projects.
Thursday December 10th was the party
at the crèche. Usually when I donate anything I just pass on the things to the
project directors but I had one of the women ask me to distribute the gifts. We
arrived at the crèche at 10am as the workers were setting up the food tables. I
brought the gifts wrapped and was directed to put them in a service room. I met
many parents who I see everyday near where I live. Parents brought their
children who most were between 2-4 years old. Jody came along to test his new
camera.
Everybody started eating and enjoying the
company of friends. After about 30 minutes we went inside the crèche to see the
Escola de Musica da Rocinha give a performance with 8 students playing acoustic
guitars. They even played about 6 songs including “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns
& Roses. After I was escorted to the
“Green Room”. This is where the gifts were given out. I got to sit down and had
help with one of the teachers in directing which children would receive the
gifts. I would tell the teacher the toy then she would tell me the name of the
child and then I would hand the gift to the boy. It was strange all the gifts I
happened to buy were for boys. Big smiles all around in the room and the
parents loved it too. After the gifts were given out Pai Noel (Santa Claus)
came in the room where the children were able to pose with him with their toys.
Many fotos were taken and thanks to the director, teachers and all the people
who donated toys for the children created an awesome day in Rocinha! Below are some of the fotos from the party.
Escola de Musica da Rocinha playing for the party.
Foto: Jody King
Cristiano
Cristiano, who I wrote about in a previous blog contacted me again needing help with the purchasing of cat carriers. So, I met him and bought 2 more carriers for his work helping the stray cats and dogs to get neutered or spayed.
I also wanted to get to know him better and the work he does. His work is focus on getting the cats and dogs fixed so they don’t multiply. He tends to more cats than dogs. He also tries to find homes for these animals. Here is some background on this wonderful man who love animals.
He has been doing this voluntary work since 2011. When he was working he used to spend most of his wages on taking care of the animals. He sold his bus pass so he could have more money and would go to work by foot. His work with the animals here has been a challenge because he was working during the hours when the vet clinic was open. So he was only able to bring animals on Saturdays. He eventually stopped working with the support of his parents so he could focus more on his love for helping the animals.
Now a NGO is helping him with food and medications. Today he is one of the founders of a political party for animals on Brazil called “Partners in the Protection of Animals”. He is responsible for the group in the state of Rio de Janeiro. He is the first born and raised resident of Rocinha to be the founder of a political party.
He says “Nothing of what I have been able to do today for them (the animals) has not been without sacrifice. If I did not take care of the animals in the favela, I would probably be making a lot of money but the life I lead is the life to be lived.”
I am really proud to be working with Cristiano. I hope our tours continue to get more popular as I want to be able to help more.
