posted
Hello, folks. Some months ago, I started posting here. It was all nice and people were wonderfull, so I figured it would be a nice forum to chat and meet new friends. I even tried to begin an online D&D game with some hatrackers. Unfortunatelly, real life caused me some trouble, and for the first time in 18 years (I'm 27) I was a computerless guy. It took me this long to get a new one. These months were interesting. As a teacher, I learned many things. I was teaching at an University here in Rio de Janeiro. A private one (the best Universities in Brazil are public ones, not private). Well...after I got my Doctorate they simply laid me off, because they would have to give me a raise (brazilian law requires it). So, they hired one of my students who just graduated (and he's earning half I earnt). Now I have a job again. I'm not teaching at an University, but in Rio de Janeiro's fabled "favelas" (slums). The city government hired some teachers to go there and help the destitute to get at least an elementary certificate. We teach in tiny churches, we teach in people's houses. We even teach outside, with the sky above us! It's been quite an experience, you know...I never saw a drug dealer before. Now I see armed ones every single day! Two days ago I greeted one of my students (he's 15) and he had a .45 gun in his hands. He went to class and kept it with him. Yesterday, some people were using my car's surface to split cocaine with a razor blade. Well...I was a bit shaken as I went to then and said "excuse me, I teach over there, in the relief association building. I'm going home now, so could you move along please"? Surprisingly, they did, and one of them said: "Sorry, teacher! We thought the car belonget to some addicted who came here to grab a pound. You can park here whenever you want. Nobody will even touch your car!" It's interesting...those drug dealers are very dangerous people. They walk the streets with Ak-47 and M16 guns, battle the police using hand granades and are known to be really bloodthirsty. Still, they show a lot of respect for me and my colleagues, and do not cause any problems to the classes (they even warn us when the police is coming, so we can get out and not be caught in the shooting). But what really warms me to the job (and this is a job who needs it!) are the people who come to learn! They are very eager to improve their lot, and are really amazed the government sent "real", graduated teachers to teach them. They already invited me to birthday parties, weddings, "churrascos" (barbecues - meat is cheap here. Sometimes, though, cats and dogs suffer when they decide to have a barbecue). The hospitality is amazing! We are offered tons of food everyday! If I do not control myself, I'll be really fat soon. :-) The students work a lot harder to learn than most of my former college students. It's amazing...they work 8, some times 10 or 12 hours a day and come to learn at night, and still they seem to be very happy to actually be there. Well, guys...I graduated some 6 years ago. For the first time in my life, I'm feeling like my job is and important one. Even if I get another job (in two months, I guess), I'll try to keep on teaching in the "favelas". I'm still afraid. Everyday, though, the fear gets a little smaller. If these hard-working people can live there all their lives, why can't I teach there for mere 3 hours a day? Oh, yes! Guess I'll manage to be around, again! :-)
Greetings to you all from sunny Rio de Janeiro!
Posts: 1785 | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
I'm so glad you've been able to get a job that you love, it sounds...oddly wonderful actually. What do you teach? Satyagraha
Posts: 1986 | Registered: Apr 2001
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That is *so* cool. I'm so glad you shared your story. And I'm tempted to print it out for my son. Posts: 5948 | Registered: Jun 2001
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BYu, I teach Portuguese Language and Literature.
By the way...oh, thanks, people. I only wrote the post to justify myself for being away. I never thought womeone would thinks it was heroic or something like that. It's a very nice (and very NOT boring) job, but it's just the kind of thing you do everyday. I don't think I have a lot of courage. To tell you all the truth.I was SCARED the first day. I mean...I wanted to phone my mom and tell her what I was getting into, so she would dissuade me. Now I'm not that scared, but some things I see really give me the chills. But what I said in the end is true: people really, really, really nead this project to succeed.
Well...that's it. Até mais!
Posts: 1785 | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
I don't know much about Brazil, but I've always wanted to go visit Columbia, ever since I read the book Gaviotas: A Village to Reinvent the World. However, I hear they don't even let people in there now to visit because the drug cartels have made it too dangerous.
Eduardo, I really think you ought to start recording your daily adventures trying to teach in that environment. And make them into a book. I think it would be a fabulous read -- something so many of us here in USA would have a hard time fathoming.
posted
Eduardo- very cool. I have actually had some of the same experiences you discussed during my time in Brazil. When I was a missionary the people who were most likely to listen to our discussions were the poor. That meant that we spent a lot of time in the favelas or in the developing neighborhoods on the outskirts of town. I found that the poor people were always the most willing to share what they had- food, time etc. Though many of the people who live in the favelas are very dangerous, they also seem to respect those who are trying to help them or their neighbors out.
Posts: 4548 | Registered: May 2001
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One of those things that makes me smile just to know about. Fantastic job to have, beautiful work you are doing. Thanks!
Posts: 3495 | Registered: Feb 2000
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Eduardo...That's so great; you're doing something that is really important.
May I share your story with a friend of mine, my mentor from when I was at university? She lived in Brazil for several years, loves the country, and would be very interested in your post.
Posts: 2454 | Registered: Jan 2003
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Eduardo - thanks for sharing your story. It really helps me realise how much I take for granted in my life - the things I see as normal which would be huge luxuries to others. Shows me how much I have to thank the Lord for.
I'm not surprised you were afraid - I would have been petrified if I'd even had the courage to go in the first place.
Posts: 394 | Registered: Feb 2004
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It was the same with me Jacare. I wasn't in a HUGE city, so the favelas weren't as expansive, but even the little towns have their own.
I'm glad you're back on the board Eduardo and I'm glad you told us that story. Oddly, it made me really miss Brazil and the people and the CAKE and food and churrascos and the little kids and our english classes that we taught out of the church. *sigh*
I'm jealous, but I'm really glad you have such a wonderful and worthy occupation. Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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Yes, that was so cool! It makes me feel less afraid about going to Iraq. I was thinking the other day that if thousands of little kids who are Iraqis have to live there, then why should I feel I'm not up to it? I'm just not going to be afraid. I'm sure it will be the greatest experience of my life. Your story inspires me. Posts: 5509 | Registered: May 1999
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Mind you, I have an automatic grudge against you... you live in Rio de Janeiro, and you lead a thrilling life. But I think I might find it in my heart to forgive you.
Thanks for sharing, and welcome back! Posts: 7877 | Registered: Feb 2003
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Oh Raia, no need to be jealous. You are going to be living in Israel. Doesn't that excite you just a little bit?
Posts: 2064 | Registered: Dec 2003
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Hello, people. Thanks for all the kind words. I did not think you all would find my job so interesting. I guess I can post some updates, no problem. Oh, yes...I don't want you to think Rio is a huge "favela". It is a very large and beautiful city
Posts: 1785 | Registered: Oct 2003
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Wow! You are so awesome. You're definitely a very hard-working and talented person -- not a lot of people would be able to work in the conditions you describe. You have my respect and admiration.
Posts: 45 | Registered: Mar 2004
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You asked for updates...here is the first. It's not a very happy note, unfortunately.
Well...it was bound to happen any day. Still, it boggles the mind. I survived my first shooting, tonight. There I was, teaching about nouns in Portuguese, when suddenly there came the noise. It’s kinda funny, because the actual shooting noise is not like what you hear in the movies at all. It’s almost strangely low key. One of the bullets shattered a window, and we all throwed ourselves to the ground. I hid myself beneath the teacher’s table. Now, I don’t remember feeling afraid. It was not courage, or anything like that. It just seemed to be so unreal…like it was someone else there, with all those bullets flying, and not me. There were people screaming inside the classroom and outside, on the streets. Policemen giving orders, drug dealers swearing a lot, and all those machine gun (I guess) noise. A pregnant student (only 16!) fainted, and one of my students, called Paulo crawled to help her. It was over quickly, I guess. Only 3 or 4 minutes. A policeman knocked the door and I opened. He told us it was unsafe to be there, and that we should go away. Outside, there was blood and two bodies. People were screaming that policemen came shooting with no warning (they usually do that). Well…I went away as I was told. Now I’m here, safe in my bedroom, far away from the “favela” (slum) where I teach, typing this. Unfortunately, my students can’t go away, because they live there. The fear did not catch me yet, I guess. I still can’t believe it happened to me. I’m just worried about all my students, because as I drove off, I could hear some shooting again. Tsc…I could have been killed today. And still…tomorrow I will do the same (although elsewhere. I teach only once a week in a given place). I wonder if I will wake up shaking, today. Heard that some people have late fear reactions. I feel just numb and very, very tired. Maybe I should be sleeping, right now, but I can’t. Guess I’ll be online for a while, until sleep gets me.
Posts: 1785 | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
Eduardo, you write beautifully—so full of heart and love for these students. If I were you, I would keep a journal, in Portuguese or English, recording the important moments. I wouldn't be surprised if someone published it. I would, if I were a publisher.
Posts: 1903 | Registered: Sep 2003
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Coming back down after a shooting is not easy. And it can take a few days for the reaction to set in. Deep breathing, counting corners, and reading Shakespeare aloud can help.
You are courageous. Keep posting, if it helps. You're in my prayers.
Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003
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My supervisor just called me. The classroom where I was today will be closed until further notice. It seems the police is chasing some big name drug dealer over there. Up to now there are "only" two dead persons. Both of them are drug dealers. It seems none of my students are hurt.
Oh, yeah! The pregnant girl I told you about went to the hospital. It seems she may deliver her baby, tonight. :-)
Posts: 1785 | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
Just an update, if you are interested at all: my student gave birth to a healthy girl. My supervisor just phoned. :-)
Posts: 1785 | Registered: Oct 2003
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