Books for Brazil

Jardim Kennedy, Maua SP

(Scroll down for pictures)

Dear Books for Brazil Friends,

I would like to share my experience of delivering books in a poor community in Brazil. This is the second time I went to a favela (slum) to make story time and give books direct to the kids.

First of all I would like to thank all the donors and volunteers for making this book delivery possible. There were 87 books. I really believe we reached out for children in need. We went to their home’s doorsteps on a Sunday. Surprisingly, we found many kids by themselves and in same cases taking care of their younger sibling.

Prior to the event I learned that I needed to ask permission to go inside this community area. This shows us that it is very important to involve people from the local community in the event. They know best what is going on there and if it is safe for outside people to go in. It was fine. We explained that we were going to read books and give them to the kids at no cost. We did not advertise the event because we had a limited amount of books.

There were eight volunteers; Alexandra, Nancy, John, Denise, Wilson, Gislene, Gabriela and I. We drove to the location together, found a good spot and started to unpack. As you can see in the pictures, there was no pavement in the street so we used a blue plastic for the reading area. Wilson and John tied a banner that announced story time and book donation. We blow some balloons, displayed the books on the floor, got the donation forms and we were ready to start.

Alexsandra sat down with a few books to read. At this point there were about six kids there. Slowly children were coming from everywhere. It was beautiful. There were lots of them. They were curious, they wanted the books, they could hardly wait. So, after a few stories and one dance we started the book distribution.

We asked the kids to invite their parents or the adult in the house so that we could collect some information and give them the books. The answer was almost unanimous, the parents were not home, there were no one to sign the forms for them. At this point the volunteers look at each other, the instruction was clear, we need to gather information from the parents. What to do? The children were there, they wanted the books. We could not deny them the books. We decided to get some basic information from the kids and give out the books.

What a joy! the kids were so happy. Everyone had a chance to choose a book. They didn’t care if the book was new or used. They were fascinated by them. You could see some kids holding the book very tight like it was a very precious possession. There was a kid about 6 to 8 years old holding a baby about 6 month to a year old, he asked me if his sister could have a book. Another kid came to me and hugging his friend said; “this is my friend can he get a book too?”

The kids were also happy getting balloons, talking to John and being puzzled with his funny accent. I heard the kids saying; “you are not from here, where do you live?”

Well. I know it was only one book per child. But I am sure they are going to talk about it with friends. Maybe they will exchange some titles or maybe they will tell their stories in their group. I think we planted a seed.

Particularly, I have to say that after living for about 10 years here in the States, it is very easy to forget how people live there in poverty. After all this time I was hoping that things were better for them, but they still the same.

Once again I felt blessed for the opportunities in my life. As I said in my first delivery, many people helped me throughout my life and every help made a difference for me. Books for Brazil is one way to give back a tiny bit of what I have received so far.

What I realize is that, what may be so little for us might mean so much for others.

Thank you all so much!
Joelma Nascimento, Founder and Volunteer

	Story time with Alexsandra Silva
Residents coming to the book delivery.	The story begins and little by little the group starts to grow.	We found many kids by themselves and in same cases taking care of their younger sibling.
	(Joelma) ... it is very easy to forget how people live there in poverty. After all this time I was hoping that things were better for them, but they still the same.
It was only one book per child. But I am sure they are going to talk about it with friends. Maybe they will exchange some titles or maybe they will tell their stories in their group. I think we planted a seed.		You could see some kids holding the book very tight like it was a very precious possession.
		Volunteer Alexsandra Silva giving one-on-one attention.
The children were there, they wanted the books. We could not deny them the books...	Children receiving books.	Volunteer Alexsandra Silva documenting all the books donated.
Volunteer Wilson Nascimento documenting all the books donated.	Volunteer Nanci Itokazu getting basic information from the children.	Everyone had a chance to choose a book. They didn’t care if the book was new or used. They were fascinated by them.
	A happy child	Volunteer Gislene fills out the survey to learn more about the children receiving books.
Volunteer Denise Cordeiro making sure things were under control.		Thanks to all the donors and volunteers for making this book delivery possible.
	The kids were also happy getting balloons, talking to John and being puzzled with his funny accent.