In exactly 7 weeks I will be at Heathrow about to board a very early plane to São Paulo, having finished my last exam the afternoon before, a slightly speedy turn around!
There, I will be volunteering with an NGO for 6 weeks. ACER, Associação de Apoio A Criança Em Risco or The Children at Risk Foundation, was founded in 1993 to 'offer an alternative way of life to vulnerable children and young people living on the streets of São Paulo.' Here's a video of Lewis Hamilton and Jake Humphrey visiting ACER for Sports Relief.
I will be focusing on learning about the finances and marketing of a specific project that the charity runs called Family Guardian (http://www.familiaguardia.org.br/index-pt.html). It supports extended family members caring for children that have been taken away from their parents by the justice system, due to abandonment or negligence, so that they don't have to go into care.
ACER is situated in Eldorado, a favela in Diadema, one of greater São Paulo’s most violent suburbs according to Wikipedia! Although it is still classed as São Paulo, it is actually 2 hours from the centre which shows just how huge the city is. From living in one of the most middle class neighbourhoods, Vila Madalena, during my year abroad I will now be living in one of the poorest. I am so grateful for the opportunity to see this amazing city from a different perspective.
I'm also really looking forward to staying with friends in the city
centre at weekends and revisiting the incredible restaurants/nightlife/culture that São Paulo has to offer. Hopefully I will discover some new gems that I'll be sure to write about on here!After São Paulo, I will be backpacking around Colombia for a month, a country that I have wanted to visit forever - suggestions for what to do and see are very welcome!
So, now I just have the small obstacle of 13 exams! Until then I will be dreaming of this place...
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| Selva de pedra, São Paulo |
Hopefully see you on the other side!!
