Project Brasil team members Ana Claudia, Bruno, and Beatriz.

Vacation Bible school.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2006
THE BLUEST SKIES YOU'VE EVER SEEN

The results are in from the UK's National Measurement Laboratory: the bluest skies in the world can be found in Brasil. Following the link below will take you to another link containing a 2.2 MB downloadable report containing the fascinating details. I've done some research on this matter myself: I've been known to look at the sky when I'm in Brasil. It's true. The skies really are blue there.

Here's the report.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 2006
NOW WE HAVE A PLACE TO TALK ABOUT SOAP OPERAS
We just bought a new water cooler for the classroom that actually dispenses cold water. This seems like a small thing, but on those 100+ afternoons, it will be nice to be able to offer students cold water during break time. 

We've also added some new desks to the classroom, including a left-handed one.

The new school term began again this week. Ana Claudia reports that we lost some adult students, but for good reasons -- two of them found jobs and can't come to class in the afternoon. We will resolve this problem soon, as we plan to begin offering a couple of night classes in a safe location outside the favela. In fact, yours truly will be teaching one of these classes when I go back to Rio later this month.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2006
IN THE NEWS
RJTV (Rio de Janeiro TV, sponsored by Globo, the CNN of Brasil) has done stories recently about the growing slums in Rio, and how their growth is causing concern and affecting property values.

Morro Azul was the focus of a story recently. You can click the link below to see it — but here's a quick summary of what it says.

SUMMARY: Morro Azul is between Botafogo and Flamengo, in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. The first houses were built 60 years ago, and the favela is now experiencing accelerated growth. New buildings can be seen by anyone passing in front of the Flamengo metro station.

In 2004 Rio City Hall began Projeto Bairrinho ("little district") in Morro Azul. The community was to have water, sewer, and paved streets. The trafficants [drug dealers who rule the community] forced the city hall to halt the project.

One resident says, "The city wanted paved streets so that fire and ambulance vehicles could navigate the neighborhood. This would also mean that police cars could come in, too. The trafficants wouldn't allow it. They went to a city hall meeting, fully armed, and told them to change their plans.  City Hall obeyed, because the street wasn't finished."

Census reports show that the Morro Azul favela has grown by 400% in the last six years. Where this was once a quiet community, problems are beginning to develop due to the growth. Today the Morro Azul community has more attention and more activity than most residents want.

Here's the story. [Note: The piece is less than three minutes. To watch the video, click the link. It should open a new window. The video will begin when it loads.]

MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2006
PHOTOS
I put up some new pictures over the weekend. You can see them here.

MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2006
BUSY BUSY
I have been a little swamped the last couple of weeks and have not said much here, but I will check in today and let you know that all is well. We're taking new registrations for computer classes right now. We have a very long waiting list, so the ones on the list will have first opportunity to become students. Our waiting list is already longer than the number of spaces we have available. As soon as we can afford it, we plan to add more computers so that we can increase the number of students. Until then, we'll have a long waiting list, I suppose.

That aside, things are going well at Project Brasil.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2006
BOOKSHELF

We've added a new bookshelf to the English classroom, a gift from one of our Brasilian friends. What a nice piece of furniture. Take a look at this page  for a reminder of how our building looked when this project began less than two years ago. We've made great progress, but there is so much further to go.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2006
OUR STUDENT DANIEL
Daniel is one of the teenagers in Morro Azul takes computer classes and English classes and has begun attending worship services at the church. He's an out-going likable kid, one of those guys who always smiling and always seems to end up in the photograph. Daniel's hobby is break-dancing; here's a short short video they took of him yesterday with a digital camera doing what he typically does before and after class (and sometimes during). The video is 15 seconds long; click play to begin. Apparently this is kind of goofing off that takes place when I'm not there to crack the whip.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2006
MAIS UM MÊS (one more month)
We're closing out the month of August today; it's been a great one. All the bills are paid and we're current with everyone. We've just concluded another "semester" in the Computer Center with dozens of students completing another tier.  (This is Paulo in the picture holding his completion certificate.)

Our English classes are full. We're reaching children, teenagers and adults — contributing to their lives in ways that will open doors of opportunity for them and enable them to build better lives for themselves.

I am pleased with where we are today, but I have also targeted several areas that need improvement and/or development: More focus on discipleship; stronger relationships with the men in the community; more medical provisions (we'll put in a full clinic when we have the money); and more equipment so we increase the number of students we teach. This is where we're headed right now.