Favela Living

So I've completed my first few days with the Project that I am working for and its been going great. During the day I have a lot of free time until about 3 in the afternoon then I start volunteering. From about 3-6 I help out with an after school program where the kids do arts and crafts and dance. Also, from 3-4 the students work on subjects such as geography, math, and science. Once these programs are done the night english classes begin at 7. Yesterday I along with another volunteer led our first class teaching english. Since this was the first night class being offered on Tuesday/Thursday nights there were only two adults that showed up, but the other volunteers said it typically takes a week for more people to start showing up. On Wednesday night I sat in on another volunteers english speaking class that is full of adults that teach surfing. Seeing as Rio is very touristy speaking english is extremely helpful to those working within the tourism business.

As I've gotten to learn my way around the Rocinha Favela I am still amazed at how this place is setup there are side streets everywhere and everywhere we walk seems uphill. It really looks like when these were first being built they chopped down trees on a mountain and just threw concrete on top of it and built shacks. Fortunately my flat is pretty nice and is close to the center of the Favela. The large amount of free time in the morning has been nice as I've gotten situated I've began looking for things to do seeing I have all morning and some of the afternoon to plan things. This weekend I along with some other volunteers are planning on taking tours of Christ the Redeemer and the Sugar Loaf Mountain. I've been long anticipating a selfie with Christ so hopefully that will be coming true. Besides that the weather has been great about the mid 80's the whole time I've been hear. I guess its a good thing i came in the winter for Brazil because I'm told during the summer its over 100 just about everyday and I haven't seen one place yet with AC so I'd say I pick a good time to come. Anyway that's about all I have to report as of now its been fun so far and the other volunteers have been great to work with, I'm looking forward to the weekend.

Tchau!