I guess the World Cup continues for us, but with a different focus about leaving a lasting legacy in Curitiba. Our English lessons are starting to utilize the resource given to us by Premier Skills, which follows the story of Josh Jones and his quest to play for Big City United. The first chapters are focused on dreams and goals so as part of the lesson at Maria Augusta Jouve we asked the children what their's were. It's hard to take in everything, especially in another language, but among the football player and musician we had some heartbreaking responses like wanting to know their father or for their parents to be back together. Some of the young people's goal is to teach their family English so they can help at home and for employment. We are not just teaching English at the school, but it seems like we are becoming an example of something positive for them to look up to. We explained our dreams were to be football players when younger and although that didn't happen it hasn't turned out to bad for us!
The football project at Pinhais is on a two week break as they have some much needed work done on the premises which has been a bit of a risk. We are also starting the donations that will help supply each child with a gift this Christmas as £100 has been raised so far to help to project deliver this year. Almirante and Cajuru are continuing steadily with an increased number of young people attending totalling around 100 young people involved each week.
We visited two of the local professional teams stadiums and training facilities (Atletico PR and Coritiba). They have been superb with us allowing us to see how they operate here in Brazil and learn from some of their coaching staff for personal development. We were taken on tours of the stadiums, including the Arena da Baixada and a little pit stop on the pitch which had been used only a few weeks before for the big event. A massive thank you to all those involved in supporting us and allowing us the privilege to visit.
I also visited a local hospital in Curitiba as I picked up an infection in my leg. I hadn't noticed until prior to a football session and after the session my leg had swollen to almost twice the size. It was an experience and slightly worrying as although the doctor tried to communicate in English it was mainly in Portuguese. I'm not sure what caused the infection, but after 5 days of medication and rest I can return to school tomorrow. The rest has coincided with some unbelievable weather here so I can't complain too much!
Along with my return the Brasileiro has returned and we watched Coritiba play against Corinthians yesterday. The game finished 0-0, but we did get a sun tan as we watched both teams cancel each other out. It is very difficult to judge Brazilian football as before we came it was assumed it would be amazing. The atmosphere is breath taking, at times during the game we will just watch the crowd and prior to kick off they do a fantastic show of banners. However when the football starts you almost wish the teams could deliver for the supporters as the game is drawn out by poor passing, long balls, needless free kicks, yellow cards and very little continued possession. The game is slow and you will rarely see a quick counter attack or a team break away. There are some individually talented players who can perform in spells, but general team play has left a lot to be desired. We want the teams to be brilliant and maybe they have hit a rough patch, but the Premier League is leading for us at the moment.
A huge group of our volunteers left over the last week so it was a pleasure to meet and get to know you all. Hope you all got back safely and have a blast with your family and friends!
Finally we will visit Uruguay to collect our visa to enable us to stay until December. A very long process, but eventually we look like we will be able to continue the legacy that was set out for us this year.
