Recently, our project has been buzzing with activity and cultural exchange, thanks to the help of our amazing volunteers from around the globe.
A Unique Learning Activity
One of the highlights of the month was an engaging activity where students practiced asking common questions in English that they can use with foreigners in Rio, and then compared Kosta's answers with their peers. Kosta, a visitor from Ukraine who speaks fluent English, impressed the students by revealing that he speaks five languages at only 21 years old! The kids were really surprised and excited to meet him in our classes this month. During the activity, the students learned the questions and their Portuguese translations, asked Kosta, listened carefully to his answers, and wrote them down. Some of the questions included, "How long have you been in Rio?", "Is it your first time in Brazil?", and "What do you like about Rio?". This hands-on approach helped reinforce their language skills and boost their confidence in speaking English. To further support their learning, we shared the correct pronunciation with parents in the WhatsApp group, enabling students to practice at home.
Exploring the Community
After his first day of kids' classes, we had the pleasure of helping Kosta get a local SIM card for his phone. He took the opportunity to practice his Portuguese with another one of our awesome volunteers, Wendel, in a real-life situation and was delighted by the hospitality and local culture.
Connecting with Local Kids
On another day, Kosta dedicated his time to meet and connect with other local children. He took them to a pizzeria, turning the outing into a wonderful opportunity for the children to hear about the importance of learning English. His stories and experiences highlighted how mastering a new language can open doors to new opportunities and broaden horizons.
Special Thanks to Our Previous Volunteers
We also want to thank our previous volunteers. Maude, our French volunteer who visited us a few weeks ago, brought new and exciting ideas, such as offering Portuguese classes for foreigners. She was eager to practice her Portuguese in our space, and Wendel helped her with her mistakes, resulting in rapid improvements. Maude loved the personalized tour and quickly learned her way around. She also gave us the idea to create a customized map on Google to show volunteers and other visitors when they arrive here! Her enthusiasm and innovative suggestions have made a positive impact on our project and the community.
Jessica from Canada also deserves our thanks for helping us improve some descriptions on one of our other pages for visitors. Her contributions have helped us better communicate our mission and services to those who visit us.
This week, we were also delighted to have Dan from Australia, who lives in the Morro, volunteer in our classes. His involvement added to the internationalness of our project, bringing diverse perspectives and enriching our students' learning experiences.
An Open Invitation
Days like these remind us of the power of community and the importance of volunteering. We are always looking for enthusiastic individuals to join us and make a difference. Whether you are local or from another country, your time and skills can help shape the future of our children. For more information, check out our volunteer page: https://volunteers.gr8.com, join our WhatsApp group here to connect with us: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JbRO5RVx8GxGI0GnmF4yDn, and start the process to become a volunteer.
For inspiration, check out our blog post 5 Reasons to Become a Volunteer: https://www.topinternationalproject.com/post/5-great-reasons-to-become-a-volunteer.
Together, we can create a positive impact for everyone involved!
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