4 days jam-packed with experiences that spanned favelas and penthouses. I don’t know if I’ll do it justice in trying to explain it, but bear with me as I try to find the words.
We, literally, kicked off the Quest at Pequeninos do Jockey (PDJ) – a widely recognized soccer club in Sao Paulo that trains Brazil’s future stars. Founded in 1970 by Jose Guimaraes Junior, PDJ boasts the most coveted team of amateur players from underprivileged and elite backgrounds alike, who have trained more than 200,000 youth over the past 45 years. We visited the training grounds, met the founder who is a spry 81 years old, and spent time playing a friendly game (the boys were quite polite in playing with some teachers) and talking to the players (who wanted to know what winter in Toronto was like).
Our dinner was with leaders from Sao Paulo’s business, social enterprise, and not-for-profit sectors. They shared their personal stories, insights and perspectives on the socio-economic, political and cultural fabric of the country over slices of pizza (which they eat with a fork and knife).
Our first full day entailed separate groups and mine went to visit Etel Interiors. It was a luxury furniture workshop and showroom inspired by Brazilian modern design and indigenous woods. Lissa Carmona, CEO of the family business and daughter to Etel Carmona, the creator of the company, spent the morning with us, discussing their deep commitment to making woodworking a respectable and desirable profession, creating artisans who are proud of their work, and building a sustainable business.
The entire time, I thought my brother would have loved and respected the furniture, the time spent in creating it, the dedication of the workers and the beauty of the product. I was impressed by the women I met and the challenges they faced and the opportunities that they have created for the people they work and interact with.
My afternoon was spent at CDI (Committee for Democracy in Information Technology), an NGO that has, for the past two decades, been on the forefront of of using technology to create social change in communities. Since 2013, Brazil has been one of the top five global markets for smartphones and over half of its population has access to the internet. CDI is using digital inclusion to empower young people to use technology as a force for good. It provides courses in IT and citizenship for youth and teacher training programmes in public schools to bring technology into classrooms. I met some amazing youth who have created apps that left me in awe. I would love to think that my own students could create something so inspiring and moving that would change the world one click or tap at a time.
That evening we went to a traditional Brazilian Churrascaria, Fogo de Chao, beef galore and it was perfectly seasoned and dished out.
The second day we spent time with children, visiting communities and the local public school to gain insights into Brazil’s mainstream education system and the everyday lives of teachers and students. My group visited Estrela Nova, a community movement for holistic development. Born in 1980 in Campo Limpo, a desperately poor area, to bring hope and new opportunities to a community in need. They built a daycare and kindergarten for 150 children, a recreational center for teenagers and tried to alleviate the strain in the community while still valuing its pride.
That afternoon we went to a secondary school and met teachers, like us, who value the work they do and the students that they teach. We heard about their challenges and listened to them tell us how much they work and how they still feel that it is not enough. I listened to students who told me just how much they appreciate their teachers, but know that they are stretched thin and that the learning that is taking place happens in the streets of the favelas as much as in the classroom. Those teachers are like us. Those students are like the ones we teach. Each of us wants the best. Each of us wants to make a difference. And yet, we all fight to succeed.
From the impoverished neighbourhoods of the favelas and overflowing classrooms of a school, we had dinner at the penthouse home of Helio Mattar, President of the Akatu Institute for Conscious Consumption and co-founder of the Ethos Institute for Business and Social Responsibility. This man was definitely an impressive force to sit at a table with and moved me when he said that we need to always be true to ourselves, regardless of the fact that being authentic or emotional may be seen as undesirable by others.
My final day was spent entrenched in experiencing the housing shortfall in Brazil. An estimated 6 million people – city migrants and skyrocketing rents are main reasons why thousands are made homeless each year. The movement organizes squatter settlements by occupying unused plots and abandoned buildings in the city center. I stood in one of these occupied buildings, and in the “rooms” of a family with 6 daughters ranging from 6 months to 17 years, and a 3 year old grandchild and wondered how this was even possible? The richest 10% of Brazilians enjoy 50% of the country’s income and the poorest 10% receive less than 1% – how can they possibly have aspirations, let alone livelihoods and priorities?
The entire experience has left me with a lot to think about. Some of which I’m not even sure I’ve processed completely; however, regardless of everything that I saw, Brazil left me with the sense that its people are some of the most loving people in the world.
Musings of a Mathlete 