Pantanal - Volunteering
Trip Start
Feb 22, 2011
1
33
51
Trip End
Ongoing
Pantanal, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil
Saturday, June 4, 2011
After setting up the beds (that we used to sleep on), we also helped with other projects around the school and house. This included setting up their new kitchen with a reclaimed gas stove and a kitchen counter made from scrap lumber. Aaron also wired up some lighting and electrical outlets while Missi took Julie out to give her some stick-shift driving lessons, so that she would later be able to drive the school's VW combi / school bus.
Spending extra time in the Pantanal was a real blessing. Not only did we get to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, animals and birds of the Pantanal for a few more days, but we got to give a little back during our few days of volunteering. The days went quickly, but we had enough time to get a quick glimpse of what the non-tourist lifestyle of the area involved. Life was simple (just ask Missi about hand-washing clothes!), but full of smiles and laughs too.
The school, The Pantanal Center for Education and Research, will be up and running later this year with solar polar, a water filtration system, a full-time teacher, a research lab, and health center. Good going Ethan, Julie and all those who are dedicated and inspired, against the odds, to finish this important project for the kids and community within the Pantanal!
Hopefully we'll be able to return someday to see the school up and running. Or at least, to enjoy a few more songs and caparinas around the bonfire or to hear Ethan's spontaneous Jaguar ballads
