In July, our students enjoyed their winter break from public school. Since early August, the Brizolão building, where our classroom is located, has been undergoing a major renovation funded by the Rio de Janeiro state government. This extensive project, with an estimated cost of 15 million reais, will continue for the next few months.
As the renovations progress, our classroom is no longer available, prompting us to adapt by creating smaller groups in our space within the AfroReggae center. While this change presents challenges, it also offers a unique opportunity. The project founder has decided to seize this moment to travel to New York for the first time in 10 years. This journey is expected to provide a fresh perspective and open doors to new connections and innovative ideas that will enrich our project upon return.
In addition to our educational initiatives, we’ve embarked on a new project: an Airbnb rental that has successfully attracted many foreign visitors to Morro do Cantagalo. With 5-star reviews and Superhost status, we’ve created a welcoming space that offers cultural exchange opportunities within the community. Several past guests have already participated in activities with local children, and one current guest is considering helping out during his stay until December.
While this cultural exchange has been an enriching experience for everyone involved, it has also revealed a challenge. We've noticed that for visitors who don't speak much Portuguese, local shop owners and restaurant staff have faced difficulties in communicating in English—though they make a great effort to connect. To enhance these interactions, we'll be developing a community guide and resources to help local businesses improve their language skills. The Airbnb rental will continue during the founder’s absence, with bookings secured through the end of May, ensuring ongoing international engagement.
During this period, we've also crafted a detailed timeline that chronicles our activities since the inception of the Top International Project. This timeline highlights our evolution—from the first private classes to the many partnerships and initiatives we've launched, all independently funded through private lessons. You can explore our journey at the following link:
For further details on the renovation project, check out this article: https://oglobo.globo.com/blogs/ancelmo-gois/post/2024/07/predio-onde-funcionou-ciep-das-favelas-pavao-pavaozinho-e-cantagalo-vai-receber-r-15-milhoes-em-obras.ghtml
We're eager to see how these new experiences and insights will shape the next chapter of our journey. We look forward to sharing our next steps with you.
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