Dec 20, 2007 Ilha Grande - Art Workshops

I was so impressed at how attentive and interested the students were (if they showed up), and how good they were at sharing. This was wonderful, since we only had tools for 10, and sometimes over 20 people showed up. I was also impressed at how observant they were... very important since my Portuguese was incredibly limited. Of course, it helped that there was always at least one person to interpret and help. Mostly it was Dieter, but the German volunteers (such as Ricky) and Renata (the regular art and craft teacher) also pitched in and saved the day.

Dieter, the founder , IT guy, and teacher of several classes (English, Computer, Guitar, you name it), and tutored anyone interested as needed (even some teachers working on advanced degrees), took time off to help shop for art materials in Salvador and Camamu, and then test and help out with the workshops. It was a lot of hard work, and pressure, but it was gratifying to help people learn, and to witness how people can pull together to learn and help each other under such limited circumstances... and even create something wonderful! I think most people in more wealthy cultures, don't normally learn these skills. It's easy to blame lack of tools, materials and opportunity for one's failings in creativity and productivity.