Hey fellow GSE Team mates we have just a week until we take off to Brazil! I think the fact that I am leaving for five weeks is finally hitting me. But I think that we have prepared well for the journey and I look forward to all of the new experiences that await us! Cheers!
5 comments:
Hello everyone!
I lived in the 5190 District, back in 2004/2005 during my RYEP.
I am thrilled you guys have a chance to spend a great amount of time in Brazil.
Guy Lease, I don´t know if you will remember me or not, it´s been a long time.
I just wanted to say, if you guys need anything dont hesitate in contacting me.55 (11) 9651 3735. My email/msn is danmortati@hotmail.com
I´ve got a Myspace and Facebook too! :-D
I won´t be in Minas Gerais, but I live in São Paulo, which is the biggest city in Brazil and number 3 in the world! So if you guys need help at the airport, or just wanna stick around for a couple nights, let me know.
I fly back to the US for a quick visit on April 25th and back to Brazil on May 13th, though.
Anyways. I hope you have a wonderful time.
Sincerely,
Daniel Mortati
It´s Monday evening here in beautiful HOT Brazil. I am staying with my first hosts (a very cute familiy of four) in an apartment close to the City Center of Sete Lagoas a town of 230,000 folks.
Our first two days were "rest" so we visited a cave, toured the city and yesterday went to a "football" game.
Today was our first day of vocational visits so this morning I met with a group of students and a teacher from the University who are studying local environmental issues. They are working specifically on a project to improve the City´s trash/recycling system which has both similarities and differences from our systems in CA. The government imposes far less restrictions and direction. I visited two dump sites - one old (mainly a plot of land that trash is dumped) and the other new which is in a sense a lined landfill with a modified methane flare (or a less sophisticated gas recovery burn off system). After visiting the "dump" we visited a recycling facility and observed the hand sort process (no equipment) just people sorting recyclables by hand. The only equipment at the site was a baler. There was an armed guard at the gate and the "president" referred to the bails as GOLD. I was interviewed (with great help from an RYE student to translate) for the local TV news. I also brought with me a PowerPoint presentation that I present to our local students to show the process (in pictures) of our trash/recycling collection in Truckee to share with the workers and TV.
After touring all morning I met back up with the group and attended a local Rotary meeting. After the meeting we visited another Rotary club which provides basic vocational type skills to the community members. For example, ladies were taking empty cake frosting cans and painting the outside so they could sell the cans for a small bit of money. Others painted handtowles, some painted finger nails as training to work in a beauty shop. After spending time at the Rotary community center we went to the City Hall and met the Mayor of Sete Logoas. Here the Mayor is elected however retains a staff like position (more like the Town Manager).
In about an hour we are visiting the Educational Foundation of Monsenhor Messias and then at 8:30 its happy hour!
More to come, Ciao!
Nichole Dorr, Recycling Coordinator (O´and in Brazil I have been promoted to "Director of Recycling")
Town of Truckee
Nichole, I was excited to get your trip news, although I am a visual person that would love to see photos. I'm curious about the vocational training center, is it like vocational schools here? What is the major industry in or around Sete Lagoas? I hope your having a ball!
Nic, How very exciting. What a wonderful experience. We have been sunny and warm here in Truckee; but missing you terrible. Keep us posted and take lots of pics; we want to see those upon your return. I love the promotion; as always you ROCK! Keep us posted.
Take Care!
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