World Vision in Alagoas

In May, my friend, who is a World Vision sponsor, came to Brazil and wanted to visit her kid. I wrote pages about it here: http://rwinzeler.xanga.com/2013/04/24/world-vision-trip/

And I made some new friends in Alagoas, the next down in Brazil. They are doing an amazing job working with 3,500 children in this impoverished town that is suffering horrible drought. For the past three years, they've only received 25% of the yearly rainfall needed. Rainy season just ended, and people are worried because there is no more water reserve to get through the rest of the year.

Inhapi was the small town where World Vision is centered. Carina called it the Wild West. It is known as the Sertao in Brazil. In the 1980s and 90s, a million people from this region died from lack of proper water and its effects. Many campaigns were made to make sure each family had a cistern to collect and save water. Unfortunately, if the rain doesn't come, you can't collect it.

Since World Vision had invited me back (with an open job offer), we took them up on it. They put us right to work, visiting 4 schools in the town, sharing a little about English, about ourselves, about how their American sponsors wished they could visit--but we would have to do for now. 

It was a special opportunity for these children, most of whom have sponsors and have written letters, but have never met an American before.

"Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" is now commonly sung

(notice Caid cheats while touching his toes) And try to find us in the sea of kids:

Before we were done, Carina had a marriage proposal, Caid was singing Bob Marley, and we had talked to well over 1000 children. That night, walking down the street we were joined by random kids, and even had our picture snapped during dinner. Such is the price of fame:). 

We not only enjoyed our opportunity to love on some amazing kids, but were able to take part in some of the World Vision projects. They have literacy, computer, sports programs, and we tried our hand at some Capoeira: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UUDFFe8dOQ&feature=c4-overview&list=UU61RtkF6QXTP1qxNlDa66kQ

They also have amazing agriculture projects, like a seed bank, an organic farmer's market, fruit cooperative, and animal raising programs--all to help the families become self-sufficient and make ends meet. We met this amazing woman:

Who has this little piece of heaven

that is sustained by this well/pump. It is amazing what a consistent water supply can do! 

We also met Rafael (next to Carina), who is 19 and is going to make a difference in the world.

World Vision has a year long class for 16-26 year olds who are interested in learning more about making a difference in their community through agriculture. It is an intense program, where they spend each weekend at one of the student's homes, practicing gardening or raising chickens or goats or implementing new irrigation ideas--and then move on the next weekend to a different home. Each student is responsible to then continue their project. Rafael had a beautiful garden, using new irrigation ideas, as well as making use of regional species of plants often overlooked. He has decided he wants to go to college to study agriculture and make this his life. Incredible. 

It is great to see other people with the same vision really making a difference where it is desperately needed. It meant a lot that we could come and bless them--and be blessed ourselves. Oh, and Caid made Carina pick cotton.