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| pre-schools in poor communities in NE Brazil |
We help fund the work of Iolanda Miranda da Silva, co-ordinating church-based pre-schools (PEPEs) in some of the poorest communities in NE Brazil. Our support for Iolanda, a worker with the Baptist Brazilian Mission, is channelled through Operation Agri BMM. |
Fonteleza - August 2005
This is our first PEPE newsletter from the northeast in Brazil. We hope that with it we might be able to share with you our moments of happiness and challenges we need to face within this fertile area in our beloved northeast.
PEPE has been in this region for six years now; at first our idea was to reach the state of Piaui, However God, with His sovereign power, made it possible for the programme to reach out other states, such as Maranhao, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraiba, Ceara and Pernambuco.
Our first Coordinators' Meeting in the northeast took place in 2001 in Teresina city - PI. Other IV Meetings have already taken place since then , each time in a different state, so that the coordinators can experience the main needs of each state.
The first Educator Missionaries' Meeting will take place in September from 3rd to 5th in the Fortalezaregion. This meeting means to us the fulfilment of one more dream, since it will gather a group of people, driven by the love of Jesus,and who are doing their very best to share their lives with children who are living a life of risk.
Pepe Story
When visiting the Pepe in a city in the region of Ceara Eudes, a 5 year old boy, chatted to me while we were waiting for his mother..."Aunty, I have got many bikes and a motorbike. It is brand new and it's red. When I ride it nobody can reach me. I am really fast. I go over lots of things. All my friends want to be exactly like me. I allow my friend Lucas to ride it with me, and no one can reach us, not even my brother who is big can reach us because I am strong!!! Sometimes I go to the place where my mum works and sometimes she rides on my bike.."
After talking to Michelle, his tutor, she told us that his dad works in a garage that fixes bikes and motorbikes. His older brother beats him up. His parents are separated. His mother does not show any signs of love or affection. She keeps asking his teacher how can she put up with him in the classroom. He always tells lots of stories.
PEPE - for some children the only place where they can tell us about their dreams and fantasies - and be loved.
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