It was 7:30 a.m and all the Youth Ambassadors were at Westlake High School. We stayed inside of the library until Yuri's arrival. It was the last time I would be inside of that environment. This thought led me to think about every single moment I spent there.
Pictures inside of the Library
Westlake High School Library
Westlake High School Hall of Fame
Westlake high School Library
Westlake High School Library
Decoration inside of the Westlake High School library
Decoration inside of the Westlake High School library
Decoration iside of the Westlake High School library
At 8:00 a.m, Yuri drove us to New Life Community. Gina was straight ahead in he car with Cari. We would see both of them there, at New Life Community.
New Life Community building
This organization offers transitional housing for people in homeless, jobless families while they get support and the necessary training to find a job, maintain a budget, better care for their children, and start on a path to future successes.
As we arrived, we were hosted by the coordinator of the organization. She ushered us to a place where there were many people in a circle. We joined the group and started introducing ourselves, talking about Brazil, and after that, about life lessons that we had throughout life. I believe this is one of the best methods to learn and evolve, because when we see others with problems we can sympathize with them through their speeches. We become more sensible, and it helps us to think critically about our own problems.
Were were invited to drink coffee and eat donuts with them. The coordinator took us to get to know the building and the room where the families stay while they get help from the organization. When we came back, I saw a woman looking for a job in a newspaper. At the beginning, I thought she was be a volunteer, but as I approached and talked to her, I realized she was one of the people supported by the New Life Community. I wished her the best in looking for a job.
Youth Ambassadors at New Life Community eating donuts
Volunteer coordinator of the New Life Community
Volunteers and people who are supported by the organization
New Life Community board with pictures of people who were supported by them
We kept walking inside of the building. We entered a room. Surprisingly, it had a kitchen, many rooms, a bathroom, and a living room. It was huge.
Coordinator talking about their rooms in New Life Community
Kitchen
Youth Ambassador with the coordinator
Cari and me
Youth Ambassadors with Cari and Gina Cirino
At the end, we thanked the volunteer for her commitment and we left the New Life Community building. While we waited for Yuri, we played in the snow and took some pictures. As we arrived, we quickly stepped into the van. Cleveland was really cold.
Youth Ambassadors when they left the New Life Community
In our schedule we would have lunch and go bowling. The day before we had asked her about these activities. It wasn't so clear to me what we would do. She said that she forgot what we would do. Fine! Gina Cirino forgetting our schedule... We should have thought, at least, that something was wrong.
We stopped in front of a building, the Cleveland Clinic Courts, the place where the Cleveland Cavaliers practice. As we entered, we saw Varejão, a Brazilian basketball player who is really famous in the United States. He greeted us and gave us autographs.
In front of Cleveland Clinic Courts
Autoghaph
He took us to the gym where we took many pictures. The Globo crew arrived and they recorded us with him. We interviewed him, and I learned more about his history. He is from a humble family. He always studied in public schools. He said that he always believed that education and sports were a good match to make a difference in any life. He was invited to play in the United Stated after working in Brazil as a basketball player. He also said that when he came to the United Stated he didn't know English at all, and today he speaks English fluently. He is definitely a role-model.
Anderson Varejão and me
This is me inside of the Cleveland Clinic Courts
Youth Ambassadors
Inside of the Cleveland Clinic Courts
Anderson Varejão is interviewed by the Youth Ambassadors
Youth Ambassadors at theCleveland Clinic Courts
At the end of the interview, he gave us a bag with many gifts from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Furthermore, he gave us a ticket to see their game that day. We thanked him a lot for being nice to us and for his achievements.
Gina hurried us to eat at McDonald's, since we were a little late to volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club.
This NGO works with children between the ages 6-18 years-old. They enable young people who need it most to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The environment was really well taken care of by each member, giving many children the opportunity to develop fun and enriching activities there.
As we entered, the volunteers hosted us and talked about the NGO`s main goal. After that, they took us to meet the children in a classroom. They were invited to see us teaching Portuguese.
Youth Ambassadors inside of theBoys and Girls Club, listen to the coordinator
Well, I did what I most like to do: teach. I began giving some information about Brazil, and teaching greetings in Portuguese. We divided the class in groups. Each Youth Ambassador joined one group. At the end, they showed us what they learned.
Saying the first words
Teaching Portuguese to children at Boys and Girls Club
Studetns at the Boys and Girls Club listen to us
Rízia and me with teaching two little boys at the Boys and Girls Club
It was the first time I taught Americans Portuguese, and I really enjoyed it! We went to the same room we entered when we arrived. We met three kids that took part in the activities developed by the Boys and Girls Club. They also developed volunteer work in their communities. Gina, as usual, told them about the American version of the Youth Ambassadors Program, inviting them to take part in the selection. We discussed about our volunteer work in our communities and what has inspired us to do our volunteer work. I congratulated the Boys and Girl Club for their work within that community. I believe education is the key to change and getting a better future. This is what that NGO does: they promote this change.
Youth Ambassadors, coordinator, volunteer and kids from Boys and Girls Club
We thanked the group and headed to "Q Arena," where we watched the Cleveland Cavaliers' game. What called my attention was how it was huuuuuuge! It also had many stores around the arena. It looked like a shopping mall.
Youth Ambassadors at the Q-Arena
We walked for a moment and we stooped to paint our hair with washable hair dye. My hair was totally red and blue. I went to have a seat and I saw Gina and Danielle Fabretti upstairs. She was the Brazilian girl who Gina hosted in her house, the same one who went with us to Amish Country.
Danielle Frabetti, me and Gina Cirino
We waited for the beginning of the game, and some host families went to watch it with us. Olivia, the Rízia's host sister, sit nest to me to watch the game.
Olivia and me watching to the game
The opening was spellbinding. The Americans do not only pay to see the game, but they also pay to see the whole show they do during the game.
Video of the Game
At the end of the game, we said our good-byes. The day gave us the chance to explore this part of American culture. I would see the Youth Ambassadors in Joao's host family's house on Sunday. I would spend the whole next day with my host family. We would leave Cleveland on Monday, the city that had enchanted me.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário