March Spotlight on Service

Can you tell me a little bit about the service you are involved in? 

Near my home, there is a school and care center for underprivileged children aged 3-8, called “Cantinho Feliz” (which translates to “Happy Corner”). There is a drastic economic divide where I live in Rio, Brazil, and before this center was established, children from the nearby neighborhoods used to come to my family’s home to play, and have somewhere to stay throughout the day. I have known them and their families throughout my life. After the care center was established, I went to volunteer there every day after school, and now, since leaving home, I go whenever I am in Brazil for break and over the summer. 

What specific role did you play/things did you do?

I am an assistant teacher, specifically for children with learning and behavioral difficulties. I teach English skills, like phonics and the alphabet, to young children. Apart from that, I also play an older sister-type role, playing and bonding with the children.

What made you decide to become engaged with this organization?

As my home was always near this favela, I have known the children and been aware of their situation. I knew some of the teachers at the care center, and they asked me if I would like to volunteer when it was established. Since I had always loved being with the children, and because I have a lot of children in my extended family, I went. I fell in love with the children and with teaching. Since then, I have always wanted to be a teacher, and I love helping and volunteering in any way that I can.

Did you find any aspects challenging in any way? Was it emotionally difficult?

Definitely. The childrens’ family stories were extremely hard to hear about. Most mothers whose children attend the day care center are abused by their husbands, and it clearly translates to the childrens’ behavior. The ones who seem to have the most behavioral issues are the ones who suffer most at home. It made it very hard for me to let them go home at the end of the day, because I didn’t want to think about sending them back to that kind of environment.

Has your service had any impact on you as a person/your perspectives?

My service has made me much more conscious of other people’s situations, especially having grown up in a privileged family in Brazil. The way that things are set up can make it difficult to see reality, beyond your own bubble. Engaging with this underprivileged community, that is so close to where I grew up yet so vastly different, made me more invested in fixing the economic inequality and lacking education in my country. 

What is your favorite memory of your service?

There is this one class of children that I am most connected to, and have been for years. One little girl in particular, named Victoria, has lots of learning difficulties. I used to get frustrated and confused by her inability to sit down when she was told, or listen to others. The teachers explained to me that certain children are like that for a reason. Ever since then, I have tried especially hard to build a relationship with her, to understand and help her in any way I can. One day, almost a year after I met her, she looked right at me and said “I wish you could live with me in my house, you make my day so much better”. I went home and cried. 

Did you make lasting relationships or connections?

Every week, I do a Zoom call with the center and talk to the children, find out what has been going on, and check up on them. When I am home, I see them almost every day – the staff and children are basically my family now. Even when I am not with them, I think about the children every day.

Would you recommend it as a service opportunity, and why?

I would recommend finding a service opportunity that you are genuinely interested in and passionate about. My service is not just to do with teaching, but to do with connection and giving care to those of us who don’t get as much. When you engage with service in an area that emotionally appeals to you, it is less of a giving situation, and becomes something that is mutually beneficial. Your mind changes, and you begin to think of things in a completely different way, and see the world from a totally new perspective. 

 

I wanted to add that Alice is incredibly genuine. When she told me her story about the little girl named Victoria, she actually cried, and throughout our conversation, the biggest thing that I noticed was a deep sense of care. Thank you for this interview, Alice. I know you will make an amazing teacher some day!

 

Interviewer: Mairéad, Grade 12 student