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Going to Salvador? You lucky things!
 
Visiting
Projects
Supporters are
welcome to visit and establish links with any of the projects
and to see and discuss the situations first had with our
local project coordinators and teachers.
But be warned
- Several of the projects are in dangerous areas.
Your safety is paramount. We strongly
advise you go with a COB representative
- if you are visiting Salvador drop us an e-mail
and we will be happy to arrange to collect you from your
hotel (if you are in Salvador) and take you to see one or
more of the projects. This is much safer for everyone, and
you will get much more out of your visit, particularly if
you don't speak Portuguese well (Ana and some others speak
good English).
If you are a
well seasoned traveler you might want to venture there under
your own steam, however the following advice should be noted:
- Make
an appointment with the project (through COB) before
you go
- Go
with a local - Never go alone
- Don't
wear or take anything valuable
- If
you take a taxi, get it to wait for you
- Get
the driver to go and find someone who is expecting
you
- Ideally
don't stay too long - they generally have a lot
to do
- Never
be left alone with the children (this should not
happen anyway)
- Carry
some form of ID and our contact details in case
the authorities visit and want to know who you are
- Please
do not take too many photographs, particularly of
the children (there are laws regarding this in Brazil).
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One
of our trustees Elio visiting
Sin. Nilzettes refuge in 2008
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Why not take
an extra bag full of goodies for the children - usually
asking around friends, family and colleagues can rustle
up a pile of free stuff such as:
- Children's
clothes & shoes
- Nappies, Babies
bottles & general baby stuff
- Pens, Pencils,
colouring books
- Some toys,
games and sweets
Don't worry about
sizes - anything they can't use is either stored away for
a needy child or sold - nothing is ever wasted.
You can make
a donation when in Brazil - please hand it to a COB representative
- or alternatively send it to us directly on your return.
If you wish to give money to a project direct we would be
delighted - but please do discuss it with your COB representative
- they may not be able to cash your cheque and passing what
will probably amount to a large amount of cash (in local
terms) can be difficult and even dangerous for the people
receiving it.
All money is
carefully allocated and accounted for. Cash payments in
Brazil are possible but need to be done carefully (e.g.
pass it to COB somewhere safe, we will make sure your wishes
are adhered to and will provide a receipt and ongoing report
on the project you are supporting).
Similarly if
you take lots of things for the children please discuss
it with either COB or the Project Leader before handing
the stuff out - they may not wish to give it all out straight
away. Reasons for this can include using ensuring a fair
distribution, using some items as incentives, saving some
for Birthdays / Christmas etc.
Need a
guide? - meet Alberto!
 Here
are the contact details of a great friend of ours and a
very trustworthy guide called Alberto. It was Alberto who
originally introduced us to projects in Salvador! And he
visits regularly and keeps and eye on things.
Alberto is a
fabulously knowledgeable guide for Salvador and the surrounding
area. I think he charges about US$50 per day and an extra
US$25 if you need him to drive and bring the car. It's a
very good rate and Alberto is an excellent guide who speaks
fluent English.
You can email
Alberto on albertonorris@gmail.com
Or call Alberto
on... 71-9176-0388 or 71-8665-7090
Got any
useful contacts?
We are always
looking for useful contacts in Salvador to help. Please
let your hotel know if you are going to see a project -
they may not know about it! Or you may know a builder who
might be willing to help with some renovation work, or a
local business person who might be interested to help. Any
contacts or advice gratefully received,
What to
see and do in Salvador
Despite the large
numbers of very needy people who live in and around Salvador
it is a magnificent city. The best on-line guide available
is managed by our American friend Randy who runs a record
shop in the Phelerino - a must visit destination if you
love Brazilian music!
Visit Randy's
guide Bahia Online here: http://www.bahia-online.net
Please make
a donation if you can to help save more children - click
here
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