Two Brothers Foundation / Instituto dois Irmãos

New Class Schedule for ‘London’ and ‘New York’

It’s sometimes hard to keep track of what is all going on at the institute.  Below is the class schedule for the new semester that began last Monday.  We have added more languages, art and Capoeira classes for the children.  The adult English classes are also reorganized into two separate levels.  This is in addition to the one-to-one adult tutoring that also occurs throughout the week.

MONDAY
STUDY HALL (Kids) from 9-10:30 AM - London room
STUDY HALL (Kids) from 2-4 PM - London room
SPANISH (Kids) from 4-5 PM - London room
SPANISH (Adults) from 7:30-9 PM - London room

TUESDAY
STUDY HALL (Kids) from 9-10:30 AM - London room
STUDY HALL (Kids) from 2-4 PM - London room
DANCE (Kids) from 6:30-7:30 PM - New York room
ENGLISH (Adults) from 7:30-9 PM - New York room
ENGLISH (Adults) from 7:30-9 PM - London room

WEDNESDAY
FRENCH (Kids) from 9-10 AM - London room
FRENCH (Kids) from 4-5 PM - London room
STUDY HALL (Kids) from 9-10.30 AM - London room
STUDY HALL (Kids) from 2-4 PM - London room
ART (Kids) from 6-7:30 PM - New York room
SPANISH (Adults) from 7:30-9 PM - London room

THURSDAY
STUDY HALL (Kids) from 9-10:30 AM - London room
STUDY HALL (Kids) from 2-4 PM - London room
DANCE (Kids) from 6:30-7:30 PM - New York room
ENGLISH (Adults) from 7:30-9 PM - London room

FRIDAY
ITALIAN (Adults) from 5-6 PM - London room
CAPOEIRA (Kids) from 6-7 PM - New York room
FRENCH (Adults) from 6-8 PM - London room

SATURDAY
ENGLISH (Adults) from 10-12 PM - New York room
ENGLISH (Adults) from 10-12 PM - London room

To avoid scheduling confusion i2i has had to name its two classrooms.  New York room (second floor) and London room (third floor) are named after two cities where many of i2i’s volunteers and fundraising come from.  This by no means is simplification of i2i’s internationalism with founders, volunteers, fundraisers and collaborates coming from all across Rocinha, Rio, Brazil and the world.  If you have ever seen one of those AT&T ads of putting together the names of three cities like “Chilondosocow” to show that the phone company is everywhere; this is i2i’s nature too, but we come from everywhere and don’t need a marketing gimmick.

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A Day in the Life of a Volunteer: Campeonato de Futebol do Tio Lino

Let the games begin

We spent the afternoon today at the Quadra de Futebol (soccer court), which is just a couple minute walk from the i2i building. Myself and a few other volunteers watched a soccer tournament of boys and girls who participate in a non-profit next door called Estudio do Tio Lino (Uncle Lino’s Studio). There they are provided the materials to express themselves through art, with Tio Lino’s encouragement and support.

The court itself is an irregularly shaped space at the intersection of three narrow alleyways, a busy crossroads of people and vehicles buzzing with energy, movement, and, at least on this day, excitement. The steps on either side of the court were filled with kids of all ages like bleachers, while an apparently impromptu band led the pre-game festivities with a deep oil-drum bass and high paint-can snare. The doorways and windows filled slowly with spectators, while the golden champion’s cup to be awarded before the day’s end kept silent watch from a table on the sidelines.

The tournament started with some pushing and shoving - the normal tussle which always leads after a while to the formation of teams. The court was cleared, the whistle blown, and the tournament was underway. Pairs of boys and girls fought it out goal by goal, foul by foul, with Tio Lino himself serving as referee.

But if you think this game was in any way your typical suburban soccer match, you’re dead wrong.

At one point one of the many spectators crowded around the goal (a decorated, overturned wooden box) discreetly assisted one of the goals with an outstretched leg, leading to protests from the opposing team. This boy received a red card for his troubles, despite his insistence that it was, in fact, someone else that had committed the act.

A few minutes later, a group of boys stumbled out of the alley into the middle of the court, unwittingly interrupting gameplay and earning themselves a kind of group red card in the process. Tio Lino wielded that card mercilessly, and the heartbroken expression of those players that received it was a testament to just how powerful it was.

More than once, a motorcycle came barreling through the court, with no more warning than a short honk and the engine’s rumble. It was Tio Lino’s rather astute custom to whistle and direct the motorcycle to the opposite end of the court, maintaining at least a little the illusion that he was in control of the intersection-turned-sports arena.

Ayo presents the cup

Other intruders required a little more work. A man dragging a 20 foot bundle of rebar required a couple players to lift and rotate his cargo around the sharp corners on all sides of the quadra, while a small yappy dog who began to nip at the heels of the players and bark at the ref’s sharp whistle needed to be chased from the court, after receiving his red card of course.

Some of the fouls did actually occur within gameplay, as players pushed, elbowed, kneed, shoved, and kicked each other off the road to victory. These players, however, usually received yellow cards, since at least their transgressions occurred within the rules of the game itself.

In the end, no one was spared: even the band received a red card when they insisted on celebrating not only every goal, but every foul, out, shot, and attempt with deafening blows on their various makeshift instruments.

The tournament was concluded with Ayo, a British volunteer with i2i, presenting the champion’s cup to the winning team, a pair of 10 year-olds who ran off into the distance to chants of “Ele e campeao, ele e campeao…” “He is the champion.” Two get the cup but, in the end, it feels like everyone wins.

- Tiago Forte, San Diego State University, i2i Volunteer

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Perks of Volunteering with i2i

Other than improving (or learning) Portuguese, building your resume, living in the marvelous city of Rio, and giving back to the world, what are the perks of volunteering with Institute Dois Irmãos?  Well they are as numerous as the waves of São Conrado beach, but this series of posts tagged “Volunteer Perks” will try to name a few.

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1. Feeling guilt free for eating a bolo (cake) every day since hiking around the steep becos (alleys) and ruas (roads) in flip flops are going to give you killer calve muscles.
2. Never having to take an iPod when you go out because of the constant blare of Samba, Forro and Baile Funk music as you pass restaurants, homes, cars and speakers wired into electricity poles.
3. Having the Cariocas thinking you’re an American football all star when you’re actually quite mediocre.
4. Being able to see a new born baby everyday when you’re hiking around the favela.
5. Making lasting friendships with Rocinha residents, Brazilians and other international volunteers (which can also be an entire cultural experience in itself).

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Student Profile: Flor

Name: Florinda

I grew up in the Northeast of Brasil in Ceará.  I studied in a public school in Ceará.  My mother is a retired teacher and my father is a mechanic.  I have two brothers; their names are Rinaldo and Evenaldo.  Rinaldo is an agricultural engineer and Evenaldo is a car salesman.

I want to learn English because I want to grow in my profession.  I always want to learn.  I like to read, travel and dogs too.  I like my hometown and I dream of going back there.  I see myself in 5 years going back to my hometown of Ceará and to travel to some other country to learn many new things.  I would like to travel to England, Canada, Finland, or the United States.

I hope for a better future and that the people will have more opportunities in Brasil.  I hope that inequality goes down and the world will join to help the planet and change the thinking of people.  The e world has to unite and find solutions to the problems that affect the environment.  The countries should encourage projects that help to improve the lives of people.  With the environment for example, they should encourage people to exchange their cars for bicycles.

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Running Rio to Raise Funds

Here is a note from Josh, Stav, Yuri and Con, all volunteers with i2i, who ran the Rio Marathon to raise some major funds.

I thought I would write to everyone to let you all know how the Marathon went, to say an enormous thank you to all of those of you who did donate and have a final attempt in persuading the rest of you to give a little.

In total, we managed to raise £1000 which is amazing. The charity was absolutely thrilled and at the moment they are trying to organise the funds. One idea is to develop an IT area in the school itself, which is a remarkable step for the institute. When we first arrived at the school, there were only two classrooms and a small library. Since then it has grown and developed and now thanks to you, an IT area is a possible goal, so thank you!

The marathon itself was an amazing experience and at the end, we all agreed that it was the hardest things we have ever done in our lives. We were up at 4am in order to catch a bus to the start line, where we met some other runners from all over the world. We started at 8 and followed a grueling route along Rio’s stunning coastline with no cover from the sun. The day itself was beautiful, but reaching temperatures of 28 degrees, which made it all the tougher. However the race went well and we all finished in good times. Crossing the finish line was a feeling that we will never forget. It was the accumulation of months of preparation, coupled with the sensation of pride of achieving something in the name of i2i. We were close to tears of pain and joy! We spent the afternoon in bed, eating and applying tiger balm to our aching limbs.

The run really was a wonderful experience, but had i2i not received your donations, I honestly believe that it would have just been a run in the sun. So not only did your money help a great cause, but it also gave all four of us an unforgettable experience, so on a personal note, thank you.

If you haven’t donated, but would like to, please visit www.i2i.org and follow the appropriate links. Anything makes a huge difference, even as little as £5.

If you would like to see how we all did you can have a look at http://www.maratonadorio.com.br/maratona_geral_masculino.htm

I hope you are all well and thank you once again,

Josh, Stav, Yuri and Con

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Bosque da Barra

My last trip to Rio was a short two weeks for Carnival.  I did manage to make time for a final “Dia dos Esportes,” a special field trip to the Bosque da Barra municipal park on the Friday before Carnival began.  Although it took me six months to finally sift through all the photos, I recently put them up on the I2I Flickr, so take a look for some summertime memories.

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A minha última viagem ao Rio foi uma curta duas semanas durante o Carnaval.  Eu consegui de assistir ao último “Dia dos Esportes,” uma viagem especial ao parque municipal Bosque da Barra na sexta-feira antes do início do Carnaval.  Mesmo que eu precisei de seis meses para editar todas as fotos, recentemente eu as coloquei no Flickr do I2I, então dá uma olha para algumas lembranças do verão.

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Check out i2i on Flickr

Every student and volunteer of i2i seems to take hundreds of photos of the Institute, Rocinha and greater Rio, but most never get the see those captured images.  Well thanks to Flickr, an online photo sharing community, all you need is a free account (sign up here) and join our Flickr group to share and view photos of i2i.  As an added plus your photos will be displayed on the right column of the blog for the entire world to enjoy.  These photos can help future volunteer get an idea of what they’re getting into, share pictures with friends and family, and develop a collective image representation of what i2i and Rocinha are all about.

Check out the photo pool right now at http://flickr.com/groups/848531@N22/

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Volunteer Profile: Ross is defeated by the stilts

Rogerio, one of i2i staff members in Rocinha, came to me a few weeks ago and asked me to make a pair of wooden stilts.  I was slightly confused and had to be reassured that we were talking about the giant shoes that are used in the circus.  I have experience with wood working as a worked in construction for the previous two summers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, so I decided to give it the old college try.  After a few google searches for a design, rummaging through i2i’s third floor closet for materials, and two days of construction on the roof, I had pieced together what looked like a pair of stilts.  However as the test runs progressed with each resulting in me falling on my butt or being held up by someone else, it seemed I had underestimated the complexity of the shoes meant for the children of i2i.  I still hope to salvage them but for now I remain a defeated man.

I started volunteering with i2i near the end of May, so I have become the default tour guide and yellow pages for the new volunteers as they arrive.  It’s a fun role to play and I usually get a free drink out of it.  Back in the States I study at Seton Hall University in New Jersey and major in International Relations.

In Rocinha I teach three adult English classes throughout the week with about four students in each class.  The students are high schoolers, parents, and Rocinha residents who work within the tourism business in other parts of Rio.  We start off every class by talking about what happened over the weekend or any plans in the coming days to work on the past and future tenses.  Trying to squeeze in a structured lesson on pronouns or spelling of plurals can be difficult with the social nature of the carioca students.  Usually the conversations are in English so at least they are practicing.  We end most of our lessons with a game that builds on vocabulary, like last Monday we played Scramble using alphabet cards.

Volunteering with i2i and living in Rocinha has changed my worldview.  I feel that I have grown a lot and been able to be a positive impact on others.  It’s like no other place on earth, even if you get defeated once in a while.

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Ja Rule rocks Rocinha

Yes the once famous US Hip Hop (or in Carioca Hippy Hoppy) artist Ja Rule (pronounced Ja Hooley) preformed off of the Curvo do S on Estrada da Gavea in Rocinha.  The concert was advertised on banners, cars and blasting speakers not only throughout the favela but all of Rio.  It cost 30 Reais to get into the bus parking lot that is the Arena do S which is a little expensive.  Everyone in the favela talked about the costs but ended up on the streets to watch the concert from afar.  There was a nice display of fireworks when the concert kicked off that made it well worth it for everyone even though the music was less than prefect.  It just goes to show that to have a good time in Rocinha you only need your friends and loud music.

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Student Profiles: Neth and Waldinei

In the adult English class I teach on Monday and Wednesday nights we just completed a longer writing assignment. I asked the students a set of three questions.

1. Where did you grow up? Where did you go to school? What is your family like?
2. What do you like to do for fun? Why are you learning English?
3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What do you hope for the future for yourself, Rocinha and the world?

I asked them to write it as a profile, or like their Orkut page, and to try and us the different tenses of past, present and future. I am very proud of what they have written.

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Neth

Name: Neth Age: 28 years old From: RJ, Rocinha. I work in an accountancy office.

I grew up in Pará. I studied in one small school with my brothers and sisters, but I don’t remember it very well, I was very small. I just know that my real parents worked on a farm and they liked to take care of cattle, hens, hogs, horses, etc.

I like to practice aerobic exercises, watch romantic movies, and talk with my friends. I like to work and to study English. I am learning many new things, so I need to keep studying English.

Where do I see myself in 5 years, oh my God! I think I’ll be old, but not very. I hope to have money for one visit to the places of California, Africa, New York, Turkey, or Denmark. I’m already imagining that I am there in those beautiful places, visiting the islands, and the Copenhagen palace.

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Waldinei

My name: Waldinei Age: 31 Married

I have one 5 year old daughter named Melinda and my wife Rafaela. I love my family. I grew up on Nilópolis, but I don’t know the city. I have lived in Rocinha for 25 years. I went to school for 7 years. I had various schools, but I never liked to go.

My family likes to be in our house and walk to in the garden, beach and shopping. I want to learn to speak English because it will be easier to work and I will earn a better salary. My boss promised me that if I learned English he will buy a ticket for me to go to the USA. For fun I like to walk with my family and play video games on my computer.

In 5 years I hope to be in good health, be very happy with my family and earn a good salary speaking English. For the Future? I hope my daughter will study a lot because she wants to be a veterinarian. I hope my life will be very good with my wife and family. For Rocinha to not be weak and that the people will go to school to improve their lives. For the world, I hope for peace, happiness and compassion to help the miserable people and for there to be love in your family.

I want to say thank you very much for teaching us to speak English and God bless you and your family. Thank you!

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Hopefully next week I will have two more ‘profiles’ from my other two students.

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