Christmas in Brazil...

In the main , Christmas in Brazil, follows the European traditions - particularly, those of Portugal.

It is essentially a time when families get together, most notably for Christmas supper, which is eaten at Midnight on December 24th (although, lots of families eat earlier than this - but most notably on Christmas Eve, as opposed to Christmas Day.

The Christmas Supper will consist of turkey, chicken, pork, ham, rice, fresh vegetables and fruit dishes. However, poorer Brazilians, usually have to make-do with rice and chicken.

Traditional Catholic families may attend; Mass at Midnight (on the 24th), the Mass ends at 1.00am, and is known as The Rooster Mass or; Missa do Galo.

TRADITIONS OF CHRISTMAS

One of the main traditions is the nativity scene or; Presépio The Presépio was introduced in the 17th century by a Franciscan friar named; Gaspar de Santo Agostinho. Most interestingly, he was from Olinda, which is also considered the birthplace of Brazilian nationality.

Father Christmas, or; Papai Noel is the unsuprisingly, traditional gift bringer, originally hailing from Greenland (according to legend), notwithstanding ,the Papai Noel concept came to Brazil during the 1950s, originating from The United States, - and subsequently commercialised in the 60s and 70s.

The decorated Christmas tree is an important Christmas ingredient, as are coloured , flashing electric lights, both adorn the main living room of houses and apartments, with the flashing lights, particularly popular draped across and over balconies of the many millions of apartment buildings.

Fireworks can be heard all hours of the day and night (mostly at night - and sometimes all through the night), and this typically Brazilian, pyrotechnic dimension to festivities, will continue until January 6th, otherwise known as Three Kings Day, which symbolizes the Three Wise Men , taking gifts to The Baby Jesus.

Happy Holidays...May you find joy, peace and contentment, and I sincerely hope that 2007 will be a memorable, and very special year, for you!

Take care, Alan Thomas.

Take A Walk On The Wildside...

Have you ever wanted to go to the Amazon Rainforest?

We are launching 2 wonderful opportunities for 2007...

Take A Walk On The Wildside 1
............................................................

Would you like to help us with reforestation in The Amazon? This is a great opportunity to help breathe new life into the ¨lungs of the world¨.

Come and help us replant some of the rare and most vital trees and plants in the Amazon.

Interested? Please drop us an email - to: alan@volunteerbrazil.com , mention, Walk On The Wildside 1, and we will give you 15% discount, off your program cost.

Take A Walk On The Wildside 2
....................................................

Deep in The Amazon ,we have an environmental art project, whereby, children and Amazon natives make the most beautiful art from their environment. Using natural materials which fall from the jungles plants and trees, materials taken from the Amazon River and the forest floor...

Interested? Please drop us an email - to: alan@volunteerbrazil.com , mention, Walk On The Wildside 2, and we will give you 15% discount, off your program cost.

Portuguese,

in Brazil.

If you are considering coming to Brazil, be it as a tourist, for business purposes, backpacking or on an organised volunteering or cultural exchange program, you will need to learn some Portuguese...

WE CAN HELP YOU!

Our Portuguese Courses in Brazil have been prepared and are delivered by qualified Professional Educators.

We have 3 Portuguese Courses to choose from...

Portuguese Course 1 (Starter)

This course is ideal for beginners and will help you survive in everday situations.
Our Portuguese Course uses a very much eclectic approach. Our objective is to give you the confidence and competence to develop your basic, oral Portuguese in a variety of situations.

Portuguese Course 2 (Intermediate)

Our second Portuguese course logically follows on from the first course. If you have existing Portuguese language skills, or have already taken Course 1 - then this is the course for you!

Our objective is to enable and empower you to express yourself in Portuguese, in more sophisticated ways, addresing a variety of circumstances.

Our Intermediate Portuguese Course is again geared towards everyday, practical usage. However, there is more attention to grammar this time.

Portuguese Course 3 (Advanced)

Our Advanced Portuguese course logically follows on from the Starter and Intermediate Courses.

Our objective is to enable you to express yourself in Portuguese, both orally and in writing.

Our Advanced Portuguese Course is again geared towards everyday, practical usage. However, there is more attention to grammar, written form, and being able to partake in conversation.

Are you up for it?

Only US$300 (175 GBP) Per Course

Whats Included:
7 nights accommodation with a Brazilian family either in Recife or Olinda
4 hours of Portuguese classes each day
20 hours of Language
Tour of Olinda or Recife
Shopping Trip
2 meals per day
Airport pick-up
Course materials

CONTACT US TODAY:

0055 81 32692793(Office)

information@volunteerbrazil.com

Mention Language Course Blog for 15% Discount.

BRAZILIAN

CARNAVAL

2007

OLINDA...


Olinda is considered to be the birthblace of Brazilian nationality, mother of the Republic! In 1537 Duarte Coelho Pereira who had been granted the Pernambuco Captaincy declared from the top of the hill.

"Oh linda situação para uma Vila" What a beautiful place to build a city.

This is the fabled origin of the city name Olinda.During the XVI Century Olinda was the most prosperous city in Brazil, entirely through the plantations of ¨white gold¨ (sugar).

Olinda has many, many delights for the visitor, and a particular mention has to be given to the Olinda Carnaval. Of course Brazil is world renowned for its annual Carnaval events.



Most of the worlds media are guilty of displaying the fabulous images of Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro and its resident samba schools. But when Brazilians want to party, when they want to experience an authentic carnaval , they come to Olinda and Recife. It takes a whole year for Brazilians to prepare for Carnaval, and the Olinda and Recife versions is certainly worth waiting for....

Nothing more expresses the spirit of Olinda than going up and down the hills of the Cidade Alta. Walking along its narrow streets, visitors can see the traditional churches and old houses that characterize the city. Brazil’s first School of Law was founded in Olinda, as well as several monasteries, convents and schools.

Lying only six kilometers from Recife, Olinda is home to innumerable artists, the builders of Olinda today, considered by Unesco as Historical and Cultural Heritage of Mankind. Among the artists that have chosen the city as home are many musicians, who enliven Olinda during Carnival, when the City already known for its intellectuals, historians and painters, also becomes the Olinda of clowns, pierrots and masquerades.

COME AND JOIN THE PARTY -

CONTACT US:
TEL: 0055 81 32692793 (office)
(mobile) 0055 81 88798877
information@volunteerbrazil.com (e-mail)
http://www.volunteerbrazil.com/ (website)

BRAZIL

CARNAVAL

2007

Come and join us for the Worlds Greatest Party...
From Only US$500 / £250

The world famous Carnival of Olinda, in Brazil, is considered to be the most authentic, the most beautiful, and the most spontaneous of its kind.

And considering that over 1 million people take to the streets each day in this UNESCO World Heritage Town, it remains an amazing fact that the WORLDS GREATEST STREET CARNAVAL is not yet comercialised.

Olinda and Recife have many, many delights for the visitor, but the Olinda and Recife Carnavals deserve a very special mention. Of course Brazil is world renowned for its annual Carnaval events, but when Brazilians want to party, when they want to experience an authentic carnaval , they come to Olinda, and Recife

.










Reserve Your Place FOR 2007

5 Nights - From 16th February to 20th February

(Carnaval Period is 16th - 20th February)

(Friday through Tuesday, you leave Wednesday morning)

Early Booking is Strongly Advised!

SEE YOU THERE!

CONTACT US:
TEL: 0055 81 32692793 (office)
(mobile) 0055 81 88798877
information@volunteerbrazil.com (e-mail)

PAID...

TEACHING ENGLISH OPPORTUNITY...

If you are intent on coming to Brazil, and are available from November 15th through December 23rd. We have 3 paid English Teaching positions available.

The Details

• Teaching English on a residential immersion course in South Brazil.

• Accomodation and food is included, you stay at a five-star hotel.

• Return flghts to destination are included (we would prefer you to be already in Brazil - but will consider covering international flights for suitable candidates).

• Compensation paid is 600 United States Dollars.

• Male or female, preferred age, 18 to 32 years old.

If you are interested , please send me your CV: alan@volunteerbrazil.com, or call me...

Take Care, Kind regards, and have a great weekend...

Alan Thomas.

Volunteerbrazil.com,
Volunteer Programs and Cultural Exchange,
Rua Muniz Tavares – 81 – 602, Jaqueira, Recife,
Pernambuco, Brazil.

005581 32692793(office),
005581 99716843 (mobile)
005581 88034177(mobile).

www.volunteerbrazil.com (website)

SÃO PAULO

An Unique Opportunity to savour Sao Paulo from two perspectives...
Volunteering with Sao Paulo, orphans, is a challenging and rewarding experience - combine this with the fact that your volunteering program is based in the Worlds 2nd largest City (largest in the southern hemisphere) and you have an almost unique opportunity to experience and help with a project that few will ever embark upon.

Are You Up For This?

If you can give, love, support and positive direction to boys, girls and babies - from 1 week old to 17 years of age and spend time playing with them, getting them ready for school, helping to cook meals and snacks for them, help them with their homework and such like.

If you can act as a mentor, role - model and parent figure for these kids, most of whom have never known their natural parents then this project is for you! You will be based in a delightful location in Sao Paulo with other International volunteers and Brazilians who volunteer and work at the orphanage.

About 20 million people live in the Greater São Paulo metropolitan area.

The city and state of São Paulo are so economically relevant for the patterns of South America that they are considered a separate region of Brazil when international competitiveness rankings are formulated. Concerts, plays, film festivals, fashion shows, and international sports events, São Paulo disputes, with Rio de Janeiro the title of Brazil's capital of culture and sports.

Ros, from Dublin, looks like she maybe Dancing in the Street...

Sao Paulo Information

Sao Paulo has an almost unique ethnic diversity, not found anywhere else in the World.

São Paulo is famous for its varied and sophisticated gastronomy, ranging from Chinese to French, from fast food chains to five star restaurants. Its night life is animated by thousands of bars, pubs, lounges, and discos which cater for a variety of music tastes and many are open all night.

For More Information On This Unique Opportunity For Volunteer Travel, Visit Volunteerbrazil.com

This Specific Opportunity is ; here VOLUNTEER IN SAO PAULO

SAMBA, SAMBA, and more SAMBA...


Samba, The Classical, National Style of Brazil

Samba is one of the most popular forms of music in Brazil. It is widely viewed as Brazil's national musical style. The name semba most probably comes from the Afro Brazilian “lundu”( XVIII century), also known as umbigada or batuque: a mixture of African rhythym brought from the slaves of Angola who lived in Bahia state.

When the slaves were transferred to Vale do Paraíba (XIX century) to work on the coffee plantations, they brought the semba with them. Later they moved to the National Capital – Rio de Janeiro with the abolition of slavery where semba gained its own identity. Living at the cariocas districts of Gamboa and Saúde they introduced the African rhythym semba to the Royalty. It used to be danced in the houses of Bahia’s black ladies like Amélia, Ciata and Prisciliana.This rhythym soon developed into what we know today as Samba, mixing with polca, maxixe and xote.

The title "samba school" ("escola de samba") originates from samba's formative years. The term was adopted by larger groups of samba performers in an attempt to lend acceptance of samba and its performance; local campuses were often the practice/performance grounds for these musicians and "escola" gave early performers a sense of legitimacy and organization to offset samba's somewhat controversial social atmosphere.

"Pelo Telefone" (1917), by Donga (Ernesto dos Santos) and Mauro Almeida, is generally considered the first samba recording. Its great success carried the new genre outside the black ghettos. Who created the music is uncertain, but it was most probably the work of the group around Tia Ciata, among them Pixinguinha, João da Baiana, Mauro de Almeida e Sinhô (José Barbosa da Silva- knew as the King of Samba). This song was really created in a “roda de partido alto” by a group of high quality samba composers.

After the recording Samba would conquer the phonographic market and with the inauguration of the radio in 1922 the music would reach the media class in Rio.The new style brought the talents of media class composers like the medical student Noel Rosa and the law student Ari Barroso Ari Barroso is famous for composing ''Tarzan, the son of the taylor '' and ''Aquarela do Brasil''.

With the radio other talented people like Francisco Alves, Orlando Silva and Carmen Miranda became great samba idols in Brazil.


In 1929, a group of musicians led by Ismael Silva founded the first Samba School, Deixa Falar, in the neighborhood of Estácio de Sá. They transformed the musical genre to make it better fit the carnival parade. In this decade, the radio spread the genre's popularity all around the country, and with the support of the nationalist dictatorship of Getúlio Vargas, samba became Brazil’s "official music".


In the following years, samba has developed in several directions, from the gentle samba-canção to the drum orchestras which make the soundtrack of carnival parade. One of these new styles was the bossa nova, made by middle class white people. It got increasingly popular over time, with the works of João Gilberto and Antônio Carlos Jobim. In the sixties, Brazil was politically divided, and the leftist musicians of bossa nova started to gather attention to the music made in the favelas. Many popular artists were discovered at this time. Names like Cartola, Nelson Cavaquinho, Zé Keti and Clementina de Jesus recorded their first albums.

In the seventies, the samba got back to the radio waves. Composers and singers like Martinho da Vila, Clara Nunes and Beth Carvalho dominated the hit parade.
In the beginning of the eighties, after having been sent underground due to styles like disco and Brazilian rock, Samba reappeared in the media with a musical movement created in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro. It was the pagode, a renewed samba, with new instruments, like the banjo and the tantan, and a new language, more popular, filled with slang. The most popular names were Zeca Pagodinho, Almir Guineto, Grupo Fundo de Quintal, Jorge Aragão, and Jovelina Pérola Negra.

Their typical instruments are: repinique, caixa, surdo, chocalho, agogô, pandeiro.

Nowadays, samba is still one of the most popular musical genres in Brazil.

Thank you to Mirian Thomas, who helped with this article on Samba.

If you are interested in learning about, and volunteering on a Music Project in Brazil - please check-out the following link: Music Education In Brazil

Capoeira , Dancing For Defense…

During the Portuguese colonization of Brazil , more that two million Africans were brought to the territory as slaves.

In the main they were taken to what are now the states of Pernambuco, Bahia and Rio de Janeiro. It is thought that the slaves from Angola, were the first to bring Capoeira to Brazil in the 16th century.

Capoeira was initially developed as a self-defense technique based on traditional African dance rituals. The slaves practiced during their free-time and in their living quarters , away from the prying eyes of the landowner master (often a sugar plantation).

Whilst doing this the slaves were training their body and mind for combat situations. And as any martial art was strictly forbidden, they ingeniously cloaked their training , making it look like an innocent looking recreational dance.





Capoeira was further perfected by slaves who had escaped, escaped slaves founded a number of quilombos, which were hidden slave-governed territories. The first of which is believed to have been in 1850 , in Serra da Barriga.



During the Dutch invasion (1628-Fernando de Noronha), of Pernambuco, consisting of 37 ships and 3000 soldiers. The Portuguese gave freedom to slaves in order to help them fight against the Dutch’s invaders.

Not surprisingly, many of them absconded and settled in Palmares (south from Recife) they established the Quilombo of Palmares. They declared a free African nation with a government similar to their ancestral homes in Africa. The largest colony was governed by Princess Aqualtume (daughter of the King of Congo) and was succeeded by her son, King Kanga Zumba then his nephew Zumbi.

They fought a decade-long war against their colonial oppressors, but Zumbi was eventually captured.

On 20th of November 1695, he was captured and killed by Domingos Jorge Velho a bandeirante from São Paulo who was assisted by Bernardo Vieira de Mello (with the troops of Olinda) and
Sebastião Dias along with other troops, sent by Souto Maior the governor of Pernambuco (1686).


He was decapitated and his head was taken to Recife to be exposed in a public square to serve as an example to other slaves.



Capoeira was used not only in direct combat, it also inspired the battle strategy itself; feigning retreat, thus luring the over-confident enemy into remote territories only to strike back at an unsuspecting place and time.

The slaves also introduced the African religious music and dance to the Capoeira making it less suspicious.

Prohibition of Capoeira remained even after slavery was abolished in 1888. It was nevertheless practiced by the poorer population on public holidays, during work-free hours and similar occasions. Riots, caused by police interference, were common. By the 1920s, persecution and punishment were almost successful in eradicating Capoeira from the "streets" of Brazil.
In spite of the ban, Master Bimba and Master Pastinha founded the first Capoeira schools in Salvador, Bahia. Master Bimba created a new style, the "Capoeira Regional" (as opposed to the traditional "Capoeira Angola" held by Master Pastinha) .

Essentially it was by incorporating new moves and techniques which helped Master Bimba convine the authorities of the cultural value of Capoeira, thus ending the official ban in the 1930's.






Berimbau is the main instrument for Capoeira. It was brought to Brazil from Angola with the music of the slaves. It is made from a wood called biribá and has a small percussion instrument called caxixi (a big basket shaker).
Some of the most famous Capoeira movements are: armada, au, benção, macaco, martelo, meia-lua de compasso, queixada, rabo-de-arraia.

If you would like to learn more about capoeira or volunteer or intern in Brazil, please contact either Alan or Mirian: HERE

Don’t Miss The Forró Train

Pernambuco, in north-east Brazil is preparing for its most popular folklore festivals, which are traditionally celebrated in June.

The month of June signifies the preparation and celebration of some of Brazils most popular folklore festivals (especially Pernambuco) in honour of Roman Catholic saints and the sweetcorn harvest.

The12th of June, Dia dos Namorados (Valentine’s Day) is followed on the 13th by Saint Anthony’s Day.

Saint Anthony was Portuguese and is a very popular saint in Brazil. In actual fact he is the patron of all lovers. One intriguing custom is; if a girl wants to find a husband she makes a promise to Santo Antônio.

For instance, a young single woman may promise Saint Anthony that she will give bread to the poor, or even attend church each Sunday – in exchange for a husband…sounds a good deal to me,,,(yikes).

So, on Santo Antônio’s Day all girls are making “adivinhações” to guess or to predict who is going to be their husband.” At midnight the girls go to a banana tree with a ¨virgin¨ knife and lunge it into the banana trunk. The following morning the girl will make a bee-line for the tree, to hopefully discover the initials of her husband-to-be.

June also sees some traditional meals being prepared and eaten.

Typical food for the June Festivals are primarily made of sweetcorn, such as canjica, pamonha, bolo de milho and pé-de-moleque.

The party for the season is the popular “forró”. According to Câmara Cascudo , the most famous Brazilian expert in northeast folklore, forró came from” forrobodó” which means “divertimento pagodeiro" fun popular party.

This type of party has typical northeast dances such as (forró, baião, coco, rojão, quadrilha, xaxado, xote).

Another version of origin, states that forró has its origins in the English denomination of; “for all” a party which was very common, and created by engineers of the Great Western Railway in Pernambuco and other states, to entertain employees during the weekends.

The Pernambuco accordion composer, Luiz Gonzaga do Nascimento creator of the rythym Baião (1912–1989) was the first person to record a disc called “Forró de Mané Vito” in 1949 in partnership with Zé Dantas.

The city of Caruaru in Pernambuco (considered the capital of forró) is famous for the best and biggest June parties, which attracts thousands of people from all over the world, during the Festivals of June. These are held at the Vila do Forró.

On 23rd June is the celebration of São João (St John The Baptist) the most popular saint in northeast Brazil. Fires are burnt in front of the houses, quadrilha is danced ( from French folklore) , all this is to give thanks for the good harvest, traditional meals are eaten and it is a great excuse to have fun too

On the 29th Saint Peter ends the June cycle of the most popular parties in the northeast of Brazil…….

Are you coming ? – don’t forget it is ¨for all¨ Forró………

Recipe for Canjica Pernambucana

Ingredients:
· 25 spikes of sweetcorn
· 1 cup of thick coconut milk
· 4 litres of thin coconut milk
· 3 cups of refined sugar
· 1 soup spoon of butter
· 1 soup spoon of salt
· 1 cup of sweet herbal tea
· 50 grames of butter cheese (optional – use a mincer if you have one)

Preparation and Method:

Grate the sweetcorn spikes and wash the mass with part of the light coconut milk through a thin sieve. Place mixture in a mincer machine or a liquidizer.

Add the rest of the thin coconut milk and boil it, always stirring it with a wooden spoon.
After one hour and a half of boiling and stirring, put all the other ingredients and the remainder of the thick coconut milk.

Boil it on a low heat, always stirring it with the wooden spoon.
Place it in a crosspiece plate or small plates and sprinkle with cinnamon…..

Hope you enjoy it!

PS: Thank you to, Mirian Machado-Thomas for writing about the June Festivals and providing the recipe for the delicious canjica...Obrigado Mirian...

If you have a question about the June Festivals or would like more Brazilian recipes , you may contact Mirian here

Samba, Sauerkraut and Sensational Soccer!






In less than 3 weeks, the party begins...

It’s a universal truth to state that the Brazilian national side are the most successful football team in the World.

Currently preparing themselves in a Swiss lakeside hideaway for an outstanding attempt at winning a 6th FIFA World Cup.

The squad is brimming with celebrated talent, not least in the shape of the ¨fab four¨ ; Ronaldo, Adriano, Kaka and Ronaldinho.

The leading samba boy and captain; Cafu, already holds the record for the most appearances in World Cup Tournaments, and 2006 will be another record busting 4.

Notwithstanding, Ronaldo, is only 2 goals shy of equaling Germanys, Muller of World Cup goals (Mullers record is 14).

So all-in-all it could be a very, very, memorable 2006 for all things Brazilian.



The mood in Brazil.

Brazilians are very emotive people, very, very proud, yet fun and outgoing too. The mood currently, is neither euphoric , emotive or nervous, it is more an anticipating , quiet, respectful confidence.

Notwithstanding, this will all change upon the blowing of that first whistle in Berlin , on June 13th.................
Then my friends – its Showtime!

Team Brazil

Brazilian Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira
Advisor/Assistant: Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo

Squad for World Cup 2006:

Keepers:
1 - Dida (Milan/ITALY)
12 - Rogério Cenni (São Paulo/BRAZIL)
22 - Júlio César (International/ITALY)

Defence:
2 - Cafu (Milan/ITALY)
13 - Cicinho (Barcelona/SPAIN)
6 - Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid/SPAIN)
16 - Gilberto (Hertha Berlin/GERMANY)
3 - Lucio (Bayern Munich/GERMANY)
4 - Juan (Bayern Leverkusen/GERMANY)
15 - Cris (Lyon/FRANCE)
14 - Luisão (Benfica/PORTUGAL)

Midfield:
5 - Emerson (Juventus/ITALY)
11 - Zé Roberto (Bayern Munich/GERMANY)
17 - Gilberto Silva (Arsenal/ENGLAND)
20 - Ricardinho (Corinthians/BRAZIL)
19 - Juninho Pernambucano (Lyon/FRANCE)
10 - Ronaldinho Gaúcho (Barcelona/SPAIN)
18 - Edmilson (Barcelona/SPAIN)

Forwards/Attack:
8 - Kaká (Milan/ITALY)
9 - Ronaldo (Real Madrid/SPAIN)
7 - Adriano (Internazionale/ITALY)
23 - Robinho(Real Madrid/SPAIN)
21 - Fred (Lyon/FRANCE).

The Group (F)

BRAZIL
CROATIA
AUSTRALIA
JAPAN

(Please note that I have placed Group order in anticipated finishing position…)Smiley...


THE PLAY

Brazil v Croatia (June 13th, Berlin)
Brazil v Australia (June 18th, Munich)
Brazil v Japan (June 22nd, Dortmund)

Overview

Objectively, Brazil appear to have a relatively easy Group – and ought to qualify for the 2nd stage with ease.

The most difficult game is the opener against Croatia.....

However, suffice to say, its most unlikely that they will face Japan in desperation.

The Opposition

Croatia

Croatia deserve the utmost respect, they finished in 3rd place in 88 (France) , and perhaps more importantly for 2006, they qualified by topping their Group, pipping the Swedes on goal difference.

There are no real surprises in their squad – well exposed, but well respected is the order of the day – I think!

Australia

The Socceroos qualified with ease , winning all of their games, ending four previous play-off failures to boot. They will give Croatia a run for their money, and it could be a close call for second spot. The Aussies have a good coach in the shape of Guus Hiddink who has recently burdened Mark Viduka with the Captaincy , ahead of former Captain, Craig Moore.

Japan

Football in Japan is growing at a phenomenal rate , and Brazil has played no small part in the boom. Indeed, the enigmatic Brazilian ; Zico is their coach. In addition to this, Japan and Brazil have for many years had a ¨football¨ relationship, whereby Brazilians have played in the Japanese league and Japanese players are regularly involved in Brazilian league training sessions.

Zico suitably led them to qualify by topping their Group. Moreover, Brazilians have in mind two significant previous encounters. The first of which was the Summer Olympics of 96, when Tha Japs beat them 1 – 0. And subsequently held them to a 2 – 2 draw last year in the Confederations Cup.

The Outcome

Very briefly: I expect the Brazilians to top the Group, with Croatia and Australia running close for 2nd spot – with the Croatians possibly edging it….and the Japanese a gallant, a very gallant , last…

Keep your eyes peeled for future reviews as the final beckons -
COME ON BRAZIL.......

Fancy A Brazilian Dish ?
Feijoada is the national dish of Brazil , there are two primary schools of thought regarding its origin.

The most common belief is that it was concocted by Brazilian slaves, who gathered and used the scraps from the mansion and literally transformed them into a slave-quarter delicacy.

The second school say adamantly, that the black turtle bean stew, is a Brazilian variation of the Portuguese dish, caldeirada and possibly the French; cassoulet.


Recipe For Feijoada

Serves 4 people
Preparation time: about 45 minutes
Cooking time: 2 hours and 40 minutes
Suggested beverages: lime batida or beer

Ingredients
800 grams of black beans
250 grams of dried beef
250 grams of salted pork ribs
1 pigs trotter
1 pig tail or ear
100 grams of smoked loin of pork
80 grams of smoked bacon
2 thick pork sausages
1 Portuguese sausage
1 onion
3 cloves of garlic
1 soup spoon of olive oil
2 bay leaves
1 orange

Preparation and Method

The day before you plan to have the feijoada, clean the pigs trotter and ear ot tail and soak them in cold with the pork ribs.

Soak the dried beef (cut into pieces), dont forget to change the water of both bowls a few times. (yikes).

Boil the salted meats in a saucepan, for about 12 minutes - drain, change water and cook...

Boil, drain and cook the dried beef, using the same method as above.

When the meats are tender, drain off the water, cut the pork ribs into smal pieces and put to one-side.

Cut the bacon into small pieces and slice the sausages.

Put the beans in a large saucepan - add water, bay leaves and the orange cut into 2 halves (remove the outer peel only).

Cook for about 45 minutes, then add all the meats and cook for a further 20 minutes.

Remove a couple of ladles of beans from the saucepan.
Chop the onion and garlic and saute in olive oil, without browning them.
Add the beans and cook for a couple of minutes, then return all ingredients to the main saucepan.

Give a damn good stir, taste and add salt if required.

Cook the whole lot again for about 20 minutes...

Serve with white rice, kale, manioc, and some fresh orange slices.

Notes:
The meats you use can vary - for instance, you dont have to use the pigs ear, if you dont want to (yikes).

During cooking, skim off the oily scum which gathers - you will need to do this quite a few times.

Very, very special note: Ensure that you havent got any important appointments a couple of hours after eating your feijoada - particularly, in enclosed spaces....smiley....

Enjoy - Catch you soon......

Maternally Yours!

Volunteer Brazil have just forged an exciting new partnership with a pioneering hospital in Brazil.

The Instituto Materno Infantil Professor Fernando Figueira (IMIP) was founded in 1960 upon the basis of giving free health care to poor mothers and children.

They have come a long , long way in 46 years.
Take a look at just some of the institutes achievements:

• In 1987, the hospital diagnosed the first patient with Aids in Pernambuco...
• The Kangaroo Mother Unit; aka Premature unit has 18 beds and since 1994 has looked after more than 3000 premature babies...
• There is a kidney transplant unit, the only one of its kind in north-east Brazil...
• The cancer unit has 42 beds. 40% of cases are leukemia related, but thankfully 84% of all children treated are subsequently cured...
• The emergency pediatric department attends to 350 cases per day, of which 50 result in hospitalisation...
• The heart surgery unit has 18 beds and currently performs 30 heart surgeries per month - including transplant...

It was the first hospital in Brazil to be designated by UNICEF as a Hosptial Friend to Children.

In 2004, The Brazilian Ministry of Health and Education conferred the status of , Medical School Hospital in both pre-and post graduation medical training.

If you are a medical student, doctor, nurse or other qualified person - professional, and have experience in any of the following areas: You maybe able to help out on a unique project, affording you a unique experience in Brazil - to boot!

• Pediatrics
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Radiology
• Midwifery
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Check out the Project here: Womens and Childrens Health

Thanks for reading, catch you soon......

Brazil, Bullets and Bollocks.

The recent violence and killing in South Americas biggest City hasn’t gone unnoticed in the international press.

However, as usual there has been a number of dubious reports and theories spouted, some of which are more fanciful than Dan Browns ¨The Da Vinci Code¨…

A starter for 10: The violence and killing has been almost exclusively between a notorious drug and arms (primarily) trafficking syndicate and police in the state and city of Sao Paulo.

First Command of the Capital (PCC) formally organized themselves in about 1993 under the auspices of forming a kinda union against maltreatment in prison. They are now inconsistent with this dubious genesis, and have degenerated into miscreants.

PCC is a syndicate of organized crime; aka Mafia…


They have learned how to carry out their criminal missions with military precision, due in no small part to the renegade training camps in various parts of Central America, particularly, Colombia.. And here lies another oft quoted misconception….

Some international press attach a kinda left-wing ideology to the PCC….THIS IS BOLLOCKS…..their activities are devoid of political action ……they are downright criminals…PERIOD!

The Sao Paulo State Government has refused Federal help, claiming they have the situation under control. This is arrogance, and a politically motivated refusal…As the State Government of Brazils most populated City, fear the acceptance of help as a clear indicator of political and civil management weakness…..

They could do worse than study north- American history for direction…particularly as to how the FBI and other agencies dealt with Mafia and organized crime in the 20s and 30s…..there are many parallels with mobs of the roaring twenties and PCC.


However, there are two distinct differences, and heightened difficulties which were not present 80 years ago…

1) Sharpened and sophisticated modern communication, facilitating easier, and swifter contact between gang members, consequently, affording better organization…This is in addition to the complicated web of financial resources available (primarily from narcotics and arms sales) – and more importantly there are plenty of places to hide and an abundance of people willing to launder the illicit funds….

2) The penchant of gangs, and terrorist groups for military training, and the relative ease and availability of training camps and skilled personnel to deliver the training, to boot…..producing disciplined and motivated renegades

The international press and those who have a political interest to do so – have labeled the PCC , a left-wing revolutionary group – THIS IS BOLLOCKS…

Sure – they use traditional revolutionary strategies to destabilize a regions political will and authority – target and attack the institutions thereof , and recruit on the back of a political or social change agenda , ultimately, using beguiling methods to produce a delusive faith.

And whilst my heart and condolences reach out to the loved ones, family and friends of the 140 something lives which have been lost in this murderous, terrorist like assault on the police , other public servants and Brazilian institutions of Sao Paulo State.

The state government of Sao Paulo must put their rhetoric and political bias to bed, and allow and agree to the Federal Governments offer of help in eliminating this criminal cancer, which permeates the prisons and shanty towns of Sao Paulo.

And finally, for now, do you know the really, real irony of all this murderous, criminal, bloodshed?

It is the poor Brazilians, some of whom live in blinding poverty who suffer the most – because it is essentially they, who are the victims of the drug trafficking, (either by becoming addicts or pushers) the arms dealing (the ease of obtaining and dealing in illicit weapons are ultimately used against them).

And last but by no means least , it is the prostitution of facts and the dogma of groups such as PCC which stagnates social change and growth and ensures that the have-nots will forever languish without!

I’d Walk A Million Miles For One Of
Your Smiles...

Volunteering in an orphanage in Brazil…

Oh ! yes - today, the girls can afford a bigger grin than usual , thanks entirely to the generosity of Aoife Murphy, her mum, family, and the people of Cork, in Ireland…

Aoife (for the non-Irish amongst us, pronounced; eefa) took the girls shopping the other day – and being married and having daughters of my own, I know too well how much girls just love to shop.....(smiley)…

Fortunately , it was not my credit card being flaunted in downtown Recife...It was due entirely to the kindness and generosity of the Cork gang , the girls now have a whole new bunch of supplies at the orphanage...

Aoife, the girls, and the hard working and dedicated staff from the orphange, popped on their sun-hats and shades and trotted off to the shops.....to return, hours later, laden with goodies....

Take a look at this shopping list: New matresses and bedding, school and art supplies, crockery and utensils for the kitchen , games and toys , even a portable swimming pool, and naturally, some personal items, such as new clothes, shoes, toiletries and other girly, pink, like things (yikes) ........


When Irish Eyes Are Smiling....

¨Come into the parlour¨, and meet Aoife (left) and Camila (right)....Looks like a bit of an art class - with some English language thrown in to boot - naming body parts (urgh) - bet they did the "Okey-cokey" as well....you know the one...¨you put your left-leg in....¨dum de dum, and all that jazz..


Here is Maristela with one of the girls...
Maristela is the extremely efficient , Volunteer Co-ordinator for Recife.......She and her team work very hard to ensure that all volunteers get the most out of their experience...




Here is a group photograph, taken at the orphanage........Not everyone has managed to get in this one....However, I can spot Mirian Thomas (bottom- centre-right). Mirian is co-founder and Director of Volunteer Brazil. Aoife is there, Maristela too....and other members of the orphanage staff...



I think the smiles say everything there is to say - Don’t you ?

Would you like to volunteer in an orphanage in Brazil ?

Volunteer Brazil are currently looking for volunteers to join them in their work in north-east Brazil.

They need volunteers who are dedicated and willing to immerse themselves into sometimes difficult situations. You will have a love for children and be able and willing to give that love along with care, patience and understanding - up for it ? Got a question ? Ask Volunteer Brazil a Question; HERE



¨And girls they want to have fun¨......¨Oh girls, just want to have fun¨..........( Cant help humming that CYNDI LAUPER song).......Before we leave the orphanage, just want to say a BIG thank you.... sooooooo much, once again, to Aoife, mum and Cork.......The Top of The Morning To You! - We LOVE You xxx


Before I ¨Blog off¨ I want to mention the Volunteer Brazil,
Health Care Project...

In the far left of the photograph, stands Leanne - ¨Hello Leanne¨

Leanne is a nurse from Brighton in England, she is currently volunteering on a health placement in Brazil.

The volunteer Brazil Health Placement is quite unique and comprehensive, regarding the areas available to volunteer and intern.

If you are a medical student or a healthcare professional and would like to volunteer in Brazil - I would urge you to contact volunteerbrazil.

The organisation offers a unique opportunity to help and gain experience in all aspects of health care, in a wide-ranging environment. Check-out the following opportunities:

COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE(clinics, mostly in favelas(slums)
HEALTH AWARENESS AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE (community based)
DENTISTRY (community and centralised)
HERBAL/ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
AIDS/HIV
MEDICAL RESEARCH
GENERAL MEDICINE
GENERAL HOSPITAL DUTIES (Recife or Olinda)
PHYSIOTHERAPY
NURSING
ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY
MATERNITY
Other fields availbale if required: , Occupational Health, Nutrition,Speech Therapy and Pharmacy.

I am sure you agree, this is an awsome list of volunteer opportunities - which you wont find anywhere else..............if you do, let us know!

Have a greeeaaat weekend,

see ya on Monday - hopefully....

Oops, nearly forgot! Before I go, if you would like to link your blog or website to mine - please send me an email: alan@volunteerbrazil.com

I will of course, link back to you ....... post-haste...

Not all that Glitters is Gold...





British, 70s Rock Star, Gary ¨paedophile¨ Glitter hits the news again. Fortunately, parents and children, particularly young girls, can breathe a sigh of relief - for the monent - As the sex abuser is currently, safely behind the holding bars of a Vietnamese jail.

There was public outrage in the United Kingdom last week, when the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) aired an interview with the ¨evil one¨.

Glitter has abuse convictions both in the UK and Vietnam, notwithstanding, numerous other abuse allegations against him; primarily from (but not limited to) developing countries in Asia.


It seems that the former Rock Star has a penchant for young, vulnerable girls...And he will subsequently sink to any depth to cover his tracks.

The Sex for Sweets Monster has in the past claimed...

¨I was only helping the girls with their english¨ Yeah - right...
a paedophiles preposterous preposition...

¨I invited her into my bed because she was afraid of ghosts¨ ..... Quips -the evil spirit..

The former Pop Idol, who had hits in the 70s, with such titles as "I'm The Leader Of The Gang¨ , ¨I Love You Love Me Love¨ , ¨ Always Yours¨ and ¨C'mon, C'mon¨ has appealed against his conviction in Vietnam, but he would wouldn¨t he...As he is so desperately trying to minimize the abuse convictions and allegations which currently dominate his evil resume:


Glitter¨s EVIL RESUME....

November 1999:
Glitter admits possessing 4,000 photos of children being abused. Sentenced to four months in UK prison for 54 offences of downloading porn from the internet and placed on the sex offenders register .....Bastard!

April 2002:
Questioned by Cambodian police after moving to the country. Government minister leads campaign to deport him as a "preventative measure"......Good Riddance Paedophile!

December 2002:
UK Foreign Office confirms Glitter has been detained in Cambodia over suspected sex offences. Deported but no specific reason is given and he later returns pending an appeal....Lock up your Daughters!

March 2006:
Jailed in Vietnam over child sex offences. Sentencing judge says: "His lewd acts have compromised the dignity of the Vietnamese people, law and common sense." ......Can someone please roast his nuts!


Like many paedophiles, Glitter preys on the vulnerability of young children in developing countries. He has embarked upon a sex tour of Asia looking for opportunities to ply and deliver his sick legacy of paediphilia.

Sex tourism, particularly child sex tourism is a major, evil problem in many parts of Asia and Africa...and something must be done about it!

High profile cases like Glitter¨s helps bring abuse to the attention of the general public - and whilst great care must be taken NOT to label innocent people as paedophiles - it is very hard for the likes of Glitter to turn around and say ¨It wasn¨t me¨ , I didn¨t touch her¨ or ¨She was like a daughter to me¨

When he is released, he will certainly be deported - to a currently unknown destination...One would hope that he is deported to the UK - where a couple of Scotland Yard Detectives are sooooooooo keen to talk to him, regarding fresh abuse allegations....

Glitter is deservedly on the way to hell...

I sincerely hope someone chops his balls off before he returns to London...

For more information on Child Prostitution and Child Sex Abuse, visit:

ECPA (UK)
ECPA (USA)
ECPA (CANADA)
ECPA (AUSTRALIA)
ECPA (IRELAND)

Not all that Glitters is Gold - Gary Glitter is a performing name - the monsters ¨real name¨ is Paul Gadd...
.............................................................

PS: IF YOU WOULD LIKE A RECIPROCAL LINK FROM MY BLOG TO YOUR BLOG/SITE...Drop me an email with your details... to: alan@volunteerbrazil.com

Or - you may contact me through my website:
Volunteering in Brazil