Hello,

Just a quickie...

We are starting to get some serious enquires regarding Carnival in Brazil - Even though the annual bash doesn't start until February 2009 , if you want to play, get your skates on, Brazil Carnival 2009

A couple more updates:

Don't forget in addition to Brazil , volunteer Brazil have partnered with organisations in Peru and Costa Rica, we will also very shortly be changing our current partners in Africa to a South African based Conservation Organisation - check back here for updates.

We are also currently expanding our Brazil program to include more cities, particularly in south and north west Brazil - again check back here for updates.

On the other hand, due to various factors we are reducing our programs in Sao Paulo and Fortaleza.

And finally, it's always nice to get feedback and a brief note from former volunteers, and as I write this blog entry , Tom Ireland from England wrote. Tom volunteered on one of our partner projects in Recife(June and early July 2008)

¨Hi Alan, I just wanted to email and say that I am now home in England. Thank you for letting me experience Brazil. Brazil is a great country and it was great to work with the children that I met at the day centre. I will be back in Brazil for sure¨...

Thank you Tom, see you again , very soon...

Just take a look at Gerbrand...

Gerbrand volunteered with us in June, and as I write is still here on our NGO Volunteer Program.

I think he was quite amused and surprised to be voted The King of The Corn during the festival of St John - in all fairness to Gerbrand , he played along with it, and in fact did a magnificent job, too.

(Gerbrand is from Holland but is currently studying at the University of Wales in Cardiff....)

Some further information and a delicious sweetcorn recipe:

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...

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

See you soon...

With a Little Help From my Friends

My name is Lacey, I am Canadian and volunteering with Volunteer Brazil in July of this year (2007).

For 5 weeks I will be volunteering at an orphanage in Recife.

I was born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Although I have grown up in Thunder Bay, I have spent a number of months overseas on school exchange, as well as personal travel throughout North America. It is not vacationing which I love so much as traveling to experience different cultures and languages. Having recently graduated from Lakehead University's Teacher's College and wanting to experience more of the world, I havedecided to embark on a volunteer adventure in Brazil.

I have been very fortunate with the life I've had here in Thunder Bay, and I want to give back to those children who have not had the privileges I have had. During my time at the orphanage I will be helping in the everyday lives of the children.

I will be providing them with love and attention, playing games and helping them get ready for school, complete homework, and teach them informal english lessons. I want to have the opportunity to share some things with the children/youth of Brazil, while at the same time have them teach me something about their diverse culture. I had no doubt that this is what I wanted to do once I completed school, and by helping meraise funds you can help me reach my goal. In total my 5 week volunteer placement will cost me approximately CAD $3000.00.

This is broken down into program fee (which includes language training and living expenses for the duration of the 5 weeks), flight, visa, as well as traveler's insurance. My goal is to raise as much of that as possible. I will be approaching friends, family, and local businesses in search of any type of support. I am asking for funds; however, I will also be accepting services and donations which may help in my fundraising goals.

I am in the process of setting up a number of fundraising projects which will soon be posted on this site.

Thank you for your support!

Fundraising Events:

Yard Sale @ Evangel Church (Thunder Bay) on Saturday 5th May...

Car Wash @ Jones and Associates (Thunder Bay), day and time to be arranged...

BBQ, location, day and time to be arranged...

Ongoing fundraisers:

Mom's Pantry sales (please contact me for more information on how to order)Flower Pens ($3-on sale throughout the community)

Thank you to my sponsors...

Cozy Corner Store.

Jones and Associates Insurance.

Contact me: Lacey Dagenaisemail: lacey@volunteerbrazil.com

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
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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
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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.