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Send love (and Lisa) to Embu Guacu, Sao Paulo

  • Update for 04/10/2013 - LAST UPDATE!

      4 October 2013

    So my last week at Aramitan is coming to a close. What an AMAZING experience Ifve had here over the past almost 6 months! Well September has been a VERY busy month with lots happening here at Aramitan. At the beginning of the month we had the youth section of the Anthropsophical Society holding workshops over a weekend, with the focus being on edreamsf and showing that itfs possible to make dreams a reality. We had a guest speaker that helped us listen and reflect on how we want to achieve our dreams. Amazing food over the weekend once again prepared by Mumma Jacinta and the organisers of the event. Workshops, games, flute making, massage trains, live entertainment from the Collective Sound Pagusom and a day of alley painting. Check out the latest vid and updated photos to see what went on. On the 21st September we had a efestf to celebrate the beginning of Spring. This was the first time (so many fest firstfs here at Aramitan!) and I LOVED it. The kids from the local community came, we picked flowers, made crowns out of plant material and flowers, the kids did drawings and we had a beautiful day in the warm sunshine watching Spring unfolding AND ate lots of delicious fruit salad. Towards the end of the month we also had a eworking beef day where kids from the Michael Waldorf College in Sao Paulo came to help us out. With so many helpers we managed to get lots done, organize the library, build a fence, paint the cultural center, cooking for everyone, paint and varnish the playground and picking up trash and cleaning the street outside Aramitan. Everyone worked really hard and it was a great joint effort and fantastic to meet so many enthusiastic kids Ifve also been looking after a very cute and quite cheeky puppy that was abandoned outside Aramitan, shefs been named Zimosa and we all think shefs pretty cool. Unfortunately the woman I have been training to take over the Massage project is now unable to fulfill that commitment so at this stage the massage project is on eholdf. If you know of anyone that is a massage therapist in training or an experienced therapist and would be interested in doing a volunteer stint here in Brazil to carry on what Ifve started, please ask them to get in touch with me at pricie11@hotmail.com or facebook. ? This is an experience NOT to be missed! So this week is about tying up loose ends, and re-packing for some travels around South America. If youfre interested in keeping up to date with how my travels are going and wefre not already connected through facebook, send me an email. There really are way too many people to thank individually for being part of this amazing experience for me. But some Ifd like to mention is Coral, Santi and Sandra for the planting of a seed and the opportunity to get involved with Aramitan. Este, Manu, Fran, Maggi and Alemao for all your support and love while Ifve been here. All the incredible Paulistafs Ifve met (Way too many to mention) while working and living here, your friendship, laugh, laughter and support is AWESOME. Last but not least my friends and fam from NZ for your time, ideas, love, support and donated money to help make this idea a reality and incredible experience for me. Ifm grateful to you all ? A total of $3900 NZD was raised ?Thank you! And this is the breakdown on how that money has been spent to date: $321.25 spent on Massage Project related costs $1323.40 spent on Miscellaneous costs including paying for my time spent at Aramitan (almost 6 months) to cover food and accommodation costs $225.90 Spent on Animal costs. Vet bills, vaccinations etc I have advised I would like up to $1000.00 (total incl what has been spent already)to be spent on massage project related costs once we have a replacement therapist $600.00 (total incl what has been spent already)to be spent on any further animal costs The remainder of the money can be spent as Aramitan sees fit on the most relevant priorities

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  • Update for 05/09/2013

      5 September 2013

    A bit of a delay been updates, have Just seen I totally missed July and now August! So during July I decided to extend my visa. This has given me another 3 months to be in Brazil so my visa expires now in mid October, which is coming up fast. We also had some new people join our live in community of volunteers in July. Italo from Chile, who has lots of knowledge in subjects from bio dynamic gardening to electrical work to maintenance. Itfs great as he has helped get lots of overdue ebits and piecesf work done around Aramitan. In the spirit of learning Italo has taught me how to make a bamboo gate, wire up a power socket and make and use a different kind of composting system. He is also working on building a structure in the playground next door that once finished the kids can use their imagination to play and use it however they want. Kay from Germany joined us for six weeks helping out with activities for the kids and doing an awesome job of redecorating the music room. Kay and I became roomies, which I was initially thought would be interesting as itfs been forever since Ifve shared a room! Anyhoo she didnft snore or fart in her sleep so we got along just fine. Kay was also keen as to make the most of her short stay in Brazil and get out to see as much as possible so with her enthusiasm we took a trip to Rio (LOVE RIO!) and checked out Sao Paulo city from the highest point-Pico De Jaragua. Floyd also from Germany came to help out with kids for a few weeks, he already works with another volunteer organisation here in Sao Paulo but came to help us out for a few weeks. In August we decided to give Aramitan a bit of a spruce up by painting some of the rooms and adding some more art work. We held a Feijoada Charity. Feijoada is a typical Brazilian stew made with beans beef and pork, this was served with fresh salads and rice. The day was great although the weather wasnft fantastic and we had lots of help from the local community to make it a success. We also acquired another dog or should I say puppy. She came to visit us on the Feijoada charity day and when we returned her to her owner she said she didnft want it she would leave it on the street (an all too often occurrence here). So Ive taken her in and we are in the process of getting her health, vaccinated and fixed so that we can re-home her. In the meantime she has been given the name Zimosa. The massage clinic and lessons and are coming along nicely. Lourdes (a local) is being trained to take over the massage clinic when I leave Aramitan (in about 4 weeks) and she is enjoying it and has a natural talent for it. Its nice to know the project I started will be left in good, passionate hands. This weekend we have about 150 people coming to stay for a long weekend, while they hold their Youth Section of the Anthroposophical Society with the focus being on edreamsf The intent of the weekend is to show young people that it is possible to bring dreams to reality. Building it from its ideals built through to the questions that are both troubling at this time of life. There will be different workshops held over the weekend, community painting of local community walls and alleys. Motivational speakers and games. Live music and a Sarau.Should make for a busy, developmental and fun weekend. Check out more photos Ive updated to the overview page, or the following links about Aramitan itself and always feel free to leave comments or ask any questions. Thanks again everyone for all your support-Beijosc.. http://www.aramitan.blogspot.com.br https://www.facebook.com/Aramitan http://www.aramitan.com/ http://www.youtube.com/user/aramitan

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  • Lantern Festival

      25 June 2013

    Aramitans Lantern Festival last weekend

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  • Massage

      25 June 2013

    Massage lessons and sessions at Aramitan

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  • Update for 25/06/2013

      25 June 2013

    Well clearly my last update must have been eupdatedf in the wee small hours. Why? I hear you ask. Oh just cause I say itfs the end of July & NOT EVEN! Slight brain fart there folks. So itfs now the end of June, yes Ifm sure, cause I just checked. Thatfs two months Ifve been here for now-far out! So my flannel sheets have arrived ALL the way from NZ-Thanks Jude! And are being used and appreciated in my massage sessions. I have been on the lookout for someone to take over and run the community massage clinic when I leave (whenever that is) and it looks as though we may have found who we have been looking for. Itfs great as she has some previous experience and is VERY keen to get involved. We catch up this week so if all goes well, lessons will start with her ASAP, she can start helping with the clinic Aaaaaand I get to receive some massages-woo hooo! The massage clinic is going GREAT, we have some regulars and the word is still spreading as we are also getting new people too. This week we are going out to talk to the community to get an idea on how many are keen to learn about infant massage. Hopefully there is a lot of interest to run some classes. English lessons are going well, new people every week which means we are often playing ecatch upf but its also great because that means the word is getting out & they are keen as. I am currently teaching these classes with another volunteer eAlaff who speaks Portuguese (of course), English, German, Some French and wants to learn Gaelic when he goes to Ireland . Man! Itfs a struggle getting my head and tongue around the Portuguese language! These lessons are going well also, but for me it is a difficult language to learn. I have started another project in the last few weeks. There is ALOT of littering that goes on here. Everything from household rubbish to electrical goods, appliances etc are often thrown out onto the st or onto an empty section and just left. It looks awful and I hate the thought of what its doing to the environment. So Ifve started going out most days with a trash bag and picking up what I can to put out with our rubbish. Itfs a great way to meet the community & we seem to get by (just) in communicating with a little English, a little Portuguese & body language. Im hoping ( and starting to see a little already) that people will join me, like the look of the neighbourhood and think twice about how to discard of goods. We are also looking to start up a regular collection of the other trash (other than household stuff) so that it gets collected & discarded of properly. I had my first eLantern Festivalf in the weekend. It was really beautiful making the lanterns then lighting them with the kids, hearing them sing and going for a walk around the neighbourhood with them. Check out the vid & photos to come. I have also been getting ecreativef here with my free time, which I love!. So far I have made bracelets, wallets out of milk cartons, a lamp shade, lanterns, dream catchers, Ifm re-learning some songs on the piano and having a play on the guitar now and then, learning some body percussion and generally enjoying myself ?I feel very lucky & grateful :) Thanks again everyone for your support and encouragement, you have helped me get here. Life is good & I love being involved with this organisation, doing this social work and meeting other people passionate about what they do. Feel free to leave comments & ask any questions. Peace! ?Lisa :)

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    • 25/06/2013 by New

      Well clearly my last update must have been eupdatedf in the wee small hours. Why? I hear you ask. Oh just cause I say itfs the end of July & NOT EVEN! Slight brain fart there folks. So itfs now the end of June, yes Ifm sure, cause I just checked. Thatfs two months Ifve been here for now-far out! So my flannel sheets have arrived ALL the way from NZ-Thanks Jude! And are being used and appreciated in my massage sessions. I have been on the lookout for someone to take over and run the community massage clinic when I leave (whenever that is) and it looks as though we may have found who we have been looking for. Itfs great as she has some previous experience and is VERY keen to get involved. We catch up this week so if all goes well, lessons will start with her ASAP, she can start helping with the clinic Aaaaaand I get to receive some massages-woo hooo! The massage clinic is going GREAT, we have some regulars and the word is still spreading as we are also getting new people too. This week we are going out to talk to the community to get an idea on how many are keen to learn about infant massage. Hopefully there is a lot of interest to run some classes. English lessons are going well, new people every week which means we are often playing ecatch upf but its also great because that means the word is getting out & they are keen as. I am currently teaching these classes with another volunteer eAlaff who speaks Portuguese (of course), English, German, Some French and wants to learn Gaelic when he goes to Ireland . Man! Itfs a struggle getting my head and tongue around the Portuguese language! These lessons are going well also, but for me it is a difficult language to learn. I have started another project in the last few weeks. There is ALOT of littering that goes on here. Everything from household rubbish to electrical goods, appliances etc are often thrown out onto the st or onto an empty section and just left. It looks awful and I hate the thought of what its doing to the environment. So Ifve started going out most days with a trash bag and picking up what I can to put out with our rubbish. Itfs a great way to meet the community & we seem to get by (just) in communicating with a little English, a little Portuguese & body language. Im hoping ( and starting to see a little already) that people will join me, like the look of the neighbourhood and think twice about how to discard of goods. We are also looking to start up a regular collection of the other trash (other than household stuff) so that it gets collected & discarded of properly. I had my first eLantern Festivalf in the weekend. It was really beautiful making the lanterns then lighting them with the kids, hearing them sing and going for a walk around the neighbourhood with them. Check out the vid & photos to come. I have also been getting ecreativef here with my free time, which I love!. So far I have made bracelets, wallets out of milk cartons, a lamp shade, lanterns, dream catchers, Ifm re-learning some songs on the piano and having a play on the guitar now and then, learning some body percussion and generally enjoying myself ?I feel very lucky & grateful :) Thanks again everyone for your support and encouragement, you have helped me get here. Life is good & I love being involved with this organisation, doing this social work and meeting other people passionate about what they do. Feel free to leave comments & ask any questions. Peace! ?Lisa :)

  • Update for 27/05/2013

      27 May 2013

    Where has the time gone?! I canft believe itfs the end of July already and Ifve been here over a month now! Sometimes it feels like Ifve been here for ages and at other times it feels like I just arrived last week. Flannel sheets-You know the comfy soft ones you use in winter? This is what I like to use for my massage clients and what a mission to get hold of here! At this stage Ifm yet to find somewhere to purchase these from. Have worked around this however and had some sheets donated to us from the community, spent some $ on buying some, a lovely local has cut and hemmed the queen size ones I brought with me & Ifve got awesome family to send some over from NZ. They are on their way & wefll see how long that takes. Need to find somewhere that sells them here however as I thought getting them from NZ would be cheaper but in going through this exercise-that doesnft seem to be the case. Postage is expensive! Either that or stick with cotton. The community massage clinic is definitely up & running & the word seems to be spreading quickly as Ifm getting more people making bookings every week. Itfs frustrating that I donft understand or speak enough Portuguese yet, but Ifm learning all about patience here and we get by well enough with body language, a little Portuguese from me & some translation from the lovely peeps I volunteer with ? Massage lessons with the volunteers is also progressing and everyone seems to really enjoy these. Itfll be great once they are up to speed so they can start massaging for the community clinic & we can look to start offering lessons to the community. English lessons are going great! I work with another volunteer-Manu who is from Argentina so his native tongue is Spanish but he also speaks Portuguese very well so we plan & run the class together. Works really well, and it seems to be received well also ? I had my first Portuguese lesson last week & will be having these weekly. My teacher is a guy from Sao Paulo who has a natural flair for languages. I believe he can currently speak about 6 different languages and is in the process of learning Japanese, these he did, teaching himself! He is a great teacher and I have my lessons one on one so thatfs even better ? but I still hate conjugating verbs! Whilst writing this I have been editing photos to update also & have somehow deleted them all & canft recover them-buggerccIf I get them back Ill update them so keep an eye out for photo updates also. Please feel free to leave comments/ask questions from my updates. Happy to go into more info or answer anything I can to make these updates more relevant/ interesting etc for you. At? mais tarde (till later), go well-Lisa xo ?

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  • Update for 06/05/2013

      6 May 2013

    Bom dia! (Good morning!) So itfs been a couple of weeks since Ifve been here now. I have started massage lessons with the other volunteers that work here (see updated photos). They are loving it & itfs great to see them just go up & give each other a back or shoulder rub, especially when ILm a recipient! This past week, we went to a festival or small market at another volunteer organisation on a public holiday. The market is a way to raise awareness of the volunteer organisations and the work they do, plus raise some income where possible. It was situated within a favela (slum) community. The favelaLs are so different to anything in NZ, that I canft even really compare it. Check out www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Favela for more info Fantastic day, we set up our own stall where we were offering gchair massageh at 4 RealLs for 10 minutes. It was very slow starting off, but once word spread more & more were interested. At the end, all the kids kept coming up and asking g Chia! Chia! voc? me massagear!h (teacher, teacher you massage me!) by the end we were getting the kids to massage us & they were massaging each other, so cool to see! (see pics) I went to the local school with another volunteer to hand out flyers, promoting Aramitan and what was happening here over the next few weeks. 30min massage sessions are one of the things being offered & we hope this will be well received & the uptake will be good. In preparation I have been setting up my massage room, still some work to be done but itfs a great warm space for clients to come in a receive some relaxation or therapeutic massage. This coming week I start teaching English (it was pushed out a week) and also offering 30min massage sessions to those from the wider community that want to come and experience one. My next update will let you know how this all goes. Next week will also entail going out & purchasing some supplies with the money you have all donated-thank you! On the list are massage supplies like sheets, towels, oil, wax, incense. The washing machine here has broken so some $ will probably be going towards getting it fixed or maybe purchasing a second hand one. Must have clean massage linen for clients. I will also be purchasing some books and necessary supplies for the English lessons. Thatfs me for now, before I go however make sure you all check out & support Danielle,s amazing business, she makes & sells jewellery and awesome leather bags at http://www.danielledesigns.co.nz. These awesome peeps donated a whole lot of goods for me to raffle off as a way of generating income for my volunteer stint over here. This really helped me out & she has some incredible stuff :)

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  • Update for 23/04/2013

      23 April 2013

    Woo hoo I've finally arrived at Aramitan in Embu Guacu, Sao Paulo, Brazil! :) Again Thank you ALL for being so amazing & supporting me with my venture in all the different ways you have. A fantastic amount of money has been raised so far and it will all help here at Aramitan. With just having arrived at Aramitan, I'm settling in, grounding myself & familiarising myself with how everything works and the language! I have been asked to also teach English to a group of kids starting next week, which I have agreed to do but yet to work out how I'll do this as I've never done it before! Songs and games, songs & games :) Will take a vid soon and post so you all get an idea of what Aramitan looks like & will update about my 'work' here once my projects kick off. Things learned to date: Don't flush toilet paper down the loo-it blocks it-ooops (it goes in a bin next to the loo & goes out with the rubbish-yes even with poos on it) I still don't like & find it hard to get my head around what is masculine & feminine and then how to say things correctly. The peeps that work here are lovely, friendly & welcoming. Very good vibes here. There is a 'healthy vitamin' drink made here with avocado, milk & sugar. I've tried it but haven't made the call yet on whether or not I like it. Lunch is the main meal of the day & dinner is late-like 9pm. That's all for now folks, updates to come. Thanks again and any promotion of my page as well as donations is GREATLY appreciated. BIG LOVE Lisa xo :)

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  • Jade Speaks Up DVD Storyboard Preview

      14 March 2013

    This is the storyboard only we are raising funds to turn it into a 12 minute fully animated DVD

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  • Aramitan & what it's all about

      12 March 2013

    Wanna know a little bit more about Aramitan-the place I will be volunteering at? Check this out see if you can help out by 'giving a little".....

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  • Update for 26/02/2013

      26 February 2013

    Hi all, Thanks for the generous donations to date! I really appreciate every cent donated as it all helps. To make this a bit more 'real' for you this is a basic breakdown of what costs donations received will be going towards: Accommodation & food costs - $50 a week or $7.15 a day Massage table $250 - $300 per table Massage wax 500g approx $45 Massage oil price's vary depending on volume Money raised goes towards my accom, food, massage table & supplies costs whilst volunteering at Aramitan ONLY. Everything else has & will be paid for myself. Thanks again for your support & if you can share this page with others who may be able to help - that would be FANTASTIC! Lisa :)

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