Thought it wasn't the gut-wrenching, emotional day that was yesterday, many of the themes that I have been blogging about were revisited today.
We began by visiting the Instituto Bacarelli, a musical institute created specifically for the children of the Heliopolis favela. (By the way I was wrong, Heliopolis is the 2nd largest favela, the largest is one of the favelas in Rio)
A view of the city from the institute (located on the outskirt of the favela, the favela stretches from the institute all the way to the high-rises in the distance):
First, we saw the childrens' choir practicing. They sang two songs for us (go all the way down for a video). They were incredible!
Then, we saw the orchestra practice. The balding gentleman at the front of the picture is Maestro Bacarelli, a famous Brazilian opera conductor who founded the institute. Inspired after watching a news report about children who died in a large favela fire, the Maestro became determined to help the community.
The Maestro came over to talk to us about the importance of the Instituto Bacarelli just after the kids finished performing. This institute, like all the outreach programs in the area, are instrumental to the development of the community. Without these opportunities, the kids of Heliopolis would only face two choices: surviving extreme poverty or going to work for the drug cartels. The instituteaffords the children all they need, a chance to do something positive with their lives. In fact, once the kids hit their teens, the Instituto pays them a stipend so that they can concentrate on their musical development as a profession. The Maestro informed us that support for the program had grown so passionate that money was raised to send the entire choir to Europe (Germany, England, Spain, and a few other nations) for a month-long tour. They were scheduled to leave in the next few weeks. When he said this, he began to tear, and the women followed suit. (My eyes may have watered a tiny, tiny bit)
After we left the institute, it was on to another Rotary club meeting, about 20 minutes away. Pictures of the drive from the institute to the meeting:
The meeting was at the Rotary Club-Sudeste. For some reason, I was asked to sit up at the front. Usually, this honor is reserved specifically for our team leader, Monika, but I guess they wanted to make me feel important. In fact, I sat next to the District Governor (Rotary Club-Sao Paulo). The man was busy. He was on two phones at the same time, so I couldn't help but pretend like I was important when picture time came:
After the meeting, a dance group from the favela performed (video all the way down):
Then it was off to the Museo Arte Sao Paulo, located on Paulista Avenue (the largest city in Sao Paulo) I didn't take pictures inside the museum, but here are some pics of Paulista Avenue:
And that was the end of our day.
As a team, we've been talking a lot. One of the issues that came up was that some of the team members are struggling with the fact that we are visiting theyouth programs dressed in formal attire, representing Rotary. It's not that they feel Rotary's contributions to these programs are not invaluable, but they worry that the kids feel like they are being exploited. In my opinion, this isn't the case. I shared my assessment with the rest of the team: The kids seem genuinely happy to see us visit them and watch them perform. In addition, I refuse to believe that these kids feel sorry for themselves. While McArthur Park isn't quite as impoverished as Heliopolis, I know that I am proud that I made something of myself despite growing up in a low-income, crime ridden neighborhood. I feel that these kids also want to tell their story someday.
Of course, my perspective also results from having had years of experience in the non-profit sector, as a beneficiary, volunteer, contributor, and professional. I am very familiar with the give and take involved in outreach-based fundraising. There is no way that the money needed to fund these programs will get to where it needs to go unless the participants are put on display. Why would philanthropists write a check to a cause unless they see it in action? While we are not the ones directly contributing, we are representing Rotary International. Our reports when we return to the states may lead to additional international funding and the oppotunity for growth.
And yet while all this is true, my experience does not include children facing such despondency. While the rest of the team seemed to be a bit more comfortable after I expressed my thoughts, perhaps my own opinion will change as the program continues. We shall see.
Finally, before I sign off, some videos from the last 2 days:
A Ride Through a Part of Heliopolis:
A Panoramic View of Heliopolis and Sao Paulo:
The Choir of the Instituto Bacarelli:
Ballet Group from Heliopolis:
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