"Youth Exchange" of the EVS

6 NGOS from different countries participating of the Youth Exchange and learning through the informal "debriefing" method.
Bringing youth from all over the world as they see, question, understand and put into action what they learned in a project back home in their cities in a very informal and fun way, through the debriefing method.

Besides all the learning visiting Rio and local NGOs during the youth exchange was a uniquely wonderful experience for all the youth.

Thanks to Andrea and Inese who created the project - approved and sponsored by EU













And to youth participants with youth leaders from

Bolivia:

Spain

Holland
Mexico
Sweden

And Brazil

Thanks to the translators Ang and Phil

Camera man Joe

Photographer Naldinho

Stitching Solrisa for all the prepararion for the location.

All Andrea, Inese and youth leaders that took care of all the activities for the participants!

btw, the theme of the event was against Racism and Xenhophobia...

And all the youth that participated during this event and planned the activities to put all the active learning theme of the Youth Exchange to into positive effect during the last part of this project back home. Which will be evaluated at the next meeting in October. For more pics of the event: click here!

Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But he with a chuckle replied
That "Maybe it couldn't," but he would be one
Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing, as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, & he did it.

Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it";
But he took off his coat & he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he'd begun it.
With a lift of his chin & a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, & he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done.
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat & go to it;
Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing
That "cannot be done," & you'll do it.
--Edgar Guest.

Saturday!

This has been the longest and funnest weekend in ages! Erik jsut turned five and came over to visit Rio. He wanted to visit the zoo as that is what he has done in his prior visits, yet there is so many other things to do and places to visit! - And he really liked our many visits do so many places in just one weekend. He still wanted the beach! Saving it for next time!

"Vista Chinesa" with view of Zons Sul (beach area)

Botanical Garden! The little solar clock was the funnest part there for Ian: "it's a slide!".
At the bridge over the stream looking down at the big fish :) Yet he almost went for a swim!




















Running around with grandpa - the funnest part! and of course running to hug daddy!!! - caught the yummy moment! :)

That night Erik and daddy went to visit cousin Gabriel to spend time and watch what Erik chose, the "robot movie".

and fell sound asleep.

Erik (in white), cousin Gabriel. and Luna at the corner :)

Sweet sleep night!

cute

Such a creative piece of well made art!

smileys are happy!

Circumstances play a lot with out mood ... Yet smiling. It helps no matter how te circumstances are. And laughing does much more! - as for sure we all know!
This following article was such a tranquilizer - to me personally!

The Power of a Smile

By Janice Taylor

Did you know that one of the best things you can do for yourself and for everyone around you is to smile? Smiling brings oxygen to your brain, immediately makes you feel better, and sends out comforting messages to others.

A true smile comes from genuine pleasure. ...

Smiling can make you look like an inviting, accepting, likable and pleasant person (even if you’re not). When you first meet someone, if you don’t smile that person is likely to think that you’re not interested in them or attracted to them. They may even think you are a cold potato. So, even if you’re feeling blue or simply not in the mood to smile, do yourself a favor-smile anyway. Fake it until you make it!

The health benefits of smiling are plentiful.

Smiling …

· increases the production of endorphins, natural painkillers, and serotonin, a hormone that regulates your mood;

· boosts your immune system and increases the number and activity of antibodies that fight infection;

· lowers your blood pressure;

· helps you to relax;

· relieves stress;

· enhances respiratory function;

· exercises 15 to 26 facial muscles;

· makes you look younger as it lifts the face; and

· fires up various parts of the brain!

More fabulous facts about smiling that are sure to make you smile

· 72% of people think that those who smile frequently are confident and successful;

· 86% of people are more likely to talk to strangers if they are smiling;

· bosses are 12% more likely to promote people who smile a lot;

· research shows that 65% of communication is nonverbal (some say even higher); and

· studies show that happiness is a byproduct of smiling, not that those who are happy smile, as most people assume.

The simple act of smiling can change your day.

---------------------------------

...Light up your face with gladness. Hide every trace of sadness. Although a tear may be ever so near. Thats the time you must keep on trying. Smile, whats the use of crying? ...

From the song "Smile"

- Words by john turner and geoffrey parsons. - Music by charlie chaplin :D

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." - Proverbs 17:22

Love you!

happy mother's day!

friends!

`terrible twos`

Happy birthday!

Mommy! and his favorite present - from auntie Luna -my toddler sister :) Both boys loved the truck and where trying to play with it at the same time!

Yummy sandwich! mommy and daddy squishing little one :)
Happy birthday, turning two!

Estherzinha (prettyzica) com as duas fofuras mais gostosas de Juiz de Fora.

little kids played a lot, played with them as well, couldnt help it! yummy Ian and Myla kissed eachother a couple times! it was so cute and fun! no pic of the cute kissy though!

Making little drawings on the cards for everyone that would come to his bday party! and we put little quotes about love and childcare inside of them and Ian gave one to each visitor at the party!
Took a while to post this. My desire was to put a vid together. But since it is taking so long.. Here are the pics! no vids this time. ......my yummiest munchkins!!!!! Eric and Ian!

short visit

It was such a short visit but I loved this cozy little home. thanks for the tiny yet wonderful time. Loved meeting you all.















"magical moment" pretty fun, at least at the end.
too good! tears of joy!

Ejoying some caipirinha

EVS project I was invited to participate in.

Youth in Action by EVS (European Voluntary Service)
Helping out with a Project that will last a few months, with a meeting here in Holland at the beginning. with youth workers from different organizations participating.
Variety is the spice of life! and sometimes change as well.

tour around Amsterdam at the end!


Dam Square!

here`s where Heineken comes from

a few organizations from about 12 different countries that have the goal of helping their little corner of the world. It was pretty nice meeting them in Holland. very fun as well.

"Latvia" and "Germany" had their birthday during the meetings!