Hoe kijkt onze partner terug op het project?

De partner vertelt... van 25 oktober 2018


Na elk project vragen we onze partner hoe het project is gegaan en welke lessen de partner heeft geleerd. Je vindt hier het bijbehorende rapport.

1.    CONTEXT AND SUMMARY
1.1.    The original plan of the project
The mission at the Arco Verde organization was very special and very intensive. It was 20 days of a lot to teach and learn, exchanging experiences and sharing life stories. The main goal of this project was renovating the Blue House both inside and outside. In addition, the laying of gravel on the firebreak path was also a goal. Repairing the fence around the property was also established in the initial goal. Repainting the playground and painting the other two houses (green and yellow) were additional jobs that were established during the preparation visit with World Servants representatives (Linda and Kim). Besides the physical work, it was possible to interact with the children and the families who attend The Salvation Army program as well as the whole neighborhood. This was done through home visits, the Vacation Bible School and a big folklore festivity.

1.2.    Implementation of the project
The project has developed well and naturally. The suggested activities were discussed until everyone came to a common agreement. At the beginning, there were some points of disagreement between what was previously planned and what the group had in mind but in a democratic way, everyone understood each other. The Blue House has been restored and renovated successfully and it is ready to be used. The firebreak path was laid, thereby minimizing the risk of fires being spread. The playground was remodeled with new paint and the process of putting up the fence was started. With these renovations, the community can better enjoy each space and new activities for children and adolescents can be carried out.

2.    CONSTRUCTION
2.1.    Buildings worked on
The Blue House renovation including painting and fixing went well and it was finished by the deadline. During those two weeks, all volunteers were engaged to work and do their best.
We had some communication problems between the group leaders regarding issues that had been previously decided during the preparation visit and of which the group didn’t seem to be aware.

3.    FACILITATION OF THE TEAM
3.1.    Children Program
The group had the chance to interact with children from 6 to 17 years of age and community people during the Vacation Bible School that lasted for 4 days. Their participation was from 13:30 to 17:00 every afternoon with approximately 130 participants from our neighborhood (both adults and children). This was an excellent opportunity for community interaction.
In the second week, the regular kids program restarted with 40 children and it was prepared with the group interaction through songs in Portuguese and English, cultural immersion, Bible stories, arts and crafts, and educational games with outside activities. Two educators and a translator always supported the group.

3.2.    Cultural and touristic outings
On the Sundays, it was possible to visit two different churches, The Salvation Army in Belo Horizonte and the Presbyterian Church in Sete Lagoas where an Australian pastor preached in Portuguese and English. The group did a tour in a cave and spent half a day on a ranch with all-inclusive food, a zip line, fishing and animal exhibition. They visited a Shopping Centre and a typical local street market. Due to WS leadership restrictions, the group were not allowed to taste the “Minas Gerais” typical food. The group had a regional folklore party from this state of Brazil, organized by the leaders of the organization and helpers from all neighborhood. They had also the opportunity to participate in an inside tropical party and tried a lot of fruits and typical Brazilian food.


4.    COOPERATION AND INVOLVEMENT
4.1.    Leadership team World Servants
At the beginning it was difficult to make a connection with them. We decided together to have a daily meeting, then we could better understand each other and make decisions. They were always worried about the group security and they worked together with the group not only giving orders. We would like to compliment Mrs. Willie Walter who, in spite of being older and her difficulty with the English language, participated effectively in all inside and outside activities. She was an indispensable support for our Vacation Bible School. Mr. Ronald had a technical importance and knew how to use the tools, the items to be purchased and also lead the group in the repairing and painting process. He was committed to learning and understanding the local culture. Mrs. Emma was always ready to help healthy people from inside and outside the group.

4.2.    Staff
In this project, there were two cooks, one cleaner and two maintenance men during the whole period. They worked hard to help the group with all needs. An official translator was provided to work in many areas and situations to help good communication among the local Officers, the group, the community and staff. The official translator came from The Salvation Army in São Paulo and helped in different tasks, not just translating. Also, other Brazilian participants were available for translation.

4.3.    Community
We had no incidents with the community people. Most of them participated in the events we prepared during those days. They all treated the participants of this project kindly and received them well when visited at home.

4.4.    Beneficiaries
Children from The Salvation Army programme and neighbourhood felt special with the varied interactions during the whole period. They were very curious about the group and this new culture. For that reason, they were very hard to control. It was hard to do activities with all 40 children together. They also reflected what they live daily in their homes. The families also felt special about the care of their children.

5.    PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS
5.1.    Accommodation
Two houses were set aside as accommodation for the group each one with two complete bathrooms. The women settled in the yellow house and men in the green house. There were enough toilets, showers, washbasins for the whole group.

5.2.    Food
Two local women prepared the food during the period. Every day breakfast, lunch and dinner was provided. During the whole day, purified water, coffee, tea, fruit and snacks were provided.

5.3.    Transportation
The group arrived safely at Confins airport (Belo Horizonte - MG). The team was there to receive them. The private bus arrived on time and as soon as the group arrived, they were able to go straight to the social center. The route lasted approximately 40 minutes. For all other activities outside the social unit, the use of a private bus was requested. The same bus company was always used with drivers that were pre checked with regard to their behavior.
There was always a vehicle available on site in case of emergency.

5.4.    Safety
The safety system of World Servants worked out perfectly. The young people in general really kept the rules. In general, everything went well with no incidents.
During the pre-visit, we had agreed that all should enter the dormitories at 22:00 hours due to security. However, on some occasions, the leaders of WS went to sleep and the youth stayed outside talking. The Salvation Army personnel didn’t feel that it was up to them to insist that the youth should go inside. Regarding accommodation, two keys for each house were given, one always inside the house another with the leader of each house. No one was allowed to go alone outside the social center only with a leader or a local responsible person. The Salvation Army staff had advised not to walk along the sidewalk because of dangers with heavy lorries. On one occasion, the group wanted to go walking and went off on their own.

6.    LESSONS LEARNED
* Community – They felt closely what is real love when people came all the way to help them, care about them and do something special for the project and the families. People who do not even know them and cross the ocean to serve them. There is no doubt that this is a practical example of solidarity.
* Children – The children were motivated to have dreams and to have the desire to do the same for others. They learned about another culture. They expanded their understanding of the world, that there is not just Brazil but also more countries with different languages, customs, etc.
* Officers/Staff – The staff were able to put into practice how to serve each other, to use leadership skills, the flexibility to understand different ideas and ways of thinking and reach solutions for the achievement of the objectives.