CNN Freedom Project- West Africa Slavery

This documentary sheds light on past time problems still faces Western African Nation today.  Sex Trafficking and Labor Trafficking, Knoweledge is power......

Maroon Connection Freedom Project

This documentary talks about the original Jamaican Maroons and the African Atlantic Slave Trade and the influence of the people of Sierra Leone. Enjoy!

Living in Brazil 4

                                                                 

   At  the end  of 2014, I was becoming very uncertain about my decision moving to Brazil. I was still adjusting to the language and I wasn't in the situation I had hoped for. I had learnt from my years living in New York, if you want to change the outcome you have to put in the work to get it. I did just that. Things were about to change. I started working at a hostel down the street from the first hostel where I was living. The name of the Hostel was Kariok Hostel. I first encountered my boss Luciene there on the last day in December. She decided to give me an opportunity  to work for the hostel for the entire month of January. Her spirit is of a person who is always buzzing.  She is very strong, smart, independent, and loyal. She is a very kind heart-person who believes in giving others an opportunity. She knew my situation and my my lack of knowledge with Portuguese, but she still decided to give me a chance anyway. I worked the night shift everyday for a month. After working there for a month  I felt at home. I met some really amazing people working there as well. They made me feel like family from the get go. Until this day, that's why I continue to still  work there. Valentina Torquemade was a co worker of mine was working thereat the time. She was originally from Venezula, but like me, she was also searching for a dream and a better life; I had a great time getting to know her. We had fun, told jokes and had a few good nights in Lapa with the guest. She has now moved on to Switzerland. Another co-worker that I had fun getting to know was Caroline Souza  a local Carioca from Rio de Janerio. She was a very nice, smart, outgoing, and fun. I had a really awesome time playing with her son. I call him my little buddy. Caroline and I would talk about things  and took many pictures at the hostel. A week ago, she decided to move on, after two years working at the hostel. It was sad, but the same time, I know the reality. Its times like these you appreciate the people who helped you, listen to you, and guided you, and that´s what exactly what they did. There are unforgettable.

   In the week approaching Christmas, I felt alone for the first time in along time. I had no one to talk to and nothing to do. I spend  most of  my time reading and writing in my room. I thought about my family a lot, what we have been through, where we´ve been, what we´ve done together. A few days before Christmas there was a new employer working at the hostel. Her name was Ines MarquesBastos. She took the place of my friend Emily who was  the receptionist.  Emily had decided to return to the States, and she was the only connection I had in Brazil. When she left there was another person who took her place. Ines Bastro was her name. She was from Portugal. She spoke Portuguese, English and Spanish. She was only 21 years old. By her maturity she seemed as if she had lived on the earth  5 years prior. She was very down to earth, adventurous and who loved freedom. When we first meet we had an instant connection. We talked alot about our past experiences, where we were going, and where we hoped to be. Our connection was like of two people that were children, meeting for the very first time.. We went to the beach, we went to mall, we had deep and really insightful conversation. Within the two weeks we became really good friends. Our best moment was when we went out to Copacabana on New Years Eve. It was a magical night full of dancing, and laughter. It was a moment that will forever live in my memory. It  would be the last time we hung out together. After two weeks working at the hostel, she decided to move on. I couldn't blame her. We had a good-bye dinner with two of our other good friends from Argentina who were staying at the hostel at the time. We laughed and shared stories and made plans to someday meet up again. Being in this situation many times before, traveling abroad for the past six years now, I knew it would be the last time, but to this day, I reflect on the times we had with pure joy, and the understanding why sometimes people are brought into our lives when we least expect it. 

The History of Afro Music in Salvador Bahia Brazil

Enjoy!!

Great Men Of Their Time

Great people come along once but so often, When they past through history we have to take a moment to appreciate and acknowledge them for the great people they are.They are the ones that show us that special ability to connect with others and most importantly how to  rise from challenges when times get difficult. I take Usain Bolt, the fastest man who ever lived, and Barack Obama who continues to  make history with his Diplomacy. As history continues to past these men they will go down with it. They are great men of their time

President Obama Meets with President Castro

What has history taught us?  if something doesn't work, we must try another way...

This meeting between the little brother and the big brother US and Cuba could be just what we need to bring about global diplomacy. 

L

Teaching English in Brazil 4

   
                         

   The New Year was upon me. This year would be even be more special, because It was the first year, I started working with kids. Paulo and Julio were their names, Both kids were very enthusiastic, full of energy, imaginative, and curious. For me, it was the perfect environment to work. When I first started teaching them, it wasn't easy. At times they were more than I could bare. They would push me to my limits but I had to learn how to be patient with them. Within time, the patience allowed be to figure out the best way to reach them. I tried to understand their personal interest and what drove them to want to learn. They would tell me about their aspirations to be scientist in the future. I would use that to motivate them. I would mention to them how important it was for them to study so they can meet their future goals. I would always motivate them by reminding them how important it was for them to dedicate time to their studies.I would say,"you put the work, you will see the results." Teaching and learning for me is a two way street and for both students and teachers to have an understanding of each other, you have to understand the relationship between you and the other person and  what drives each other. Use that as an opportunity to show them that learning comes from constant repetition and focus. From the beginning of 2014, when I first started teaching we couldn't understand each other, but as time began to past, we started to develop a great teacher and student relationship. One way I can tell,  is their instant focus when they enter the room now compared to the past when I had to constantly reminded them they needed to focus. Its our chemistry over time that had allowed us to understand what´s expected from each other.


   Julio is eights years old. He is a typical kid, who loves video games, sometimes love to joke around in class. He is really exceptional and picks up on new things fairly quickly. Paulo is the oldest brother, he is a bit more shy than his brother, but when focused, he can grab everything you throw in his direction. He has a great way of analyzing things that are difficult, and finding a way to resolve it. I think both see the world differently but both process a gift that future generation will be lucky to have, We have a great understanding of what is expected for each other, but form time to time I remind them however from time to time how  important it is to stay on track and not lose focus. At INEP where I work I have a great teaching relationship with my Tuesday 6pm classes. We share a lot with each other and they expected me to share my knowledge with them. At times I would let them know they had to put in time to studying the book and find ways to have contact with the language. Even if it was reading a newspaper, magazine or watching a film or TV program or listening to music. From that point in the past until now I think they have excepted the advice. From this, I can see the drastic change in their use of speaking. They sometimes credit me for my patience with them but I continue to tell them you dedicate the time the results will show.


   As time went on in 2014, I needed another job to compensate for my living expenses, I decided to teach at another course, |The name of the course was Focus. It was first mentioned to me by two of my current students at INEP. Catharina and Roseli. I have been their  teacher for a year now, Both Roseli and Catharina were very helpful showing me and teaching  me the do´s and no´s of Brazil, At times I refer to them as my Brazilian mothers.]

  Focus was a new and Innovative Language School. Its mission was to teach English to local Brazilians who wanted to learn English for their travels, for their work, or for their personal  development, Its very different compared to INEP. Focus uses a more modern method They used video, new and modern updated books to explain how English is used in an everyday environment, For example, when it comes to eating out, planning a trip, or staying in an hotel. It was a bit simple for me to organized my lessons compared to the other school, where I had to explain everything from ground roots. Focus gave me more flexibility and a better chance to be more organized with my material.  Focus which was the perfect name for the school, would be the place and cornerstone where I had to teach myself how to focus. In August 2015, I was going to embark on another journey where I discovered something about new about myself.............