Day 16: “Why is this kid looking at me, I’m scared.”

Day 16: “Why is this kid looking at me, I’m scared.”

Today we went to the CCJ center to celebrate more festas Juninas with the children.

When we got there, there was a young boy named Lindomar, literally translated pretty ocean. Anyway, he just kept staring at me, and I was scared, most really, but I just didn’t know why he kept looking at me. So I said hi, what’s your name? And he said “you speak Portuguese?” and I said “yes” and that was the end of that, he walked away.

For the rest of the time there we played with the kids, talked with them, and just had a good time. We are really trying to teach them some English, so we played games where we would count in English. The children just seemed confused. Most of the children come from Favelas, and their parents are usually working or just not around, so importance of their education is in their own hands, and kids will be kids.

They soon danced a quadrilha for us, which is a Brazilian version of the square dance. Its starts out like a casino (Cuban round dance) and then they do some line dancing. Anyway, it was adorable to see the children do this. Some of the kids seemed so young, maybe 5 years old. It is fantastic to see how mature they are, of course, they have to grow up fast.

I’ve noticed even the youngest kids I have met 4 years old, are tough. They seem like they can take care of themselves, they are self-reliant, and have sassy attitudes. It both fascinates me, and worries me. They are just kids, and already have been through more than a lot of people I know.

I love working with the kids, I wish I could do more to help them.