voice for change quick hit diaries

Ann, Linda and Roz spent the night in Joinville. Whilst they were away Ellie, Rosie, Rachael and Becky went to the Villa to paint the top coat. Rachael started the VFC logo across the top of the project building. Nicola and Natalie had a lovely morning drawing, skipping and playing with the children at Casa Dourada. Lynn M. played with the children at Casa Branca and cleared the barbeque area ready for tonight when everyone at Casa Dourada will be joining us. Lynn S. shopped for tonight's party. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANN!!!!
The Joinville team returned at 3pm. The sun is shining, the sky is blue and the projects are all going well.
The top picture shows the patio area finished. The third photo down shows the same area before we started the work. The other photos are from Casa Dourada today.

Having been away for a few days we now take you back to Sunday when we got up early to experience the local hippie market. This sells lots of local crafts jewellery, clothing much to Lynn M’s delight, needless to say a lot of money was spent. Following lunch we then drove for 4 hours to Cananeia. Half an hour before we arrived a ‘’tropical storm’’ hit, much to our horror as it started off as the first day of sunny weather that we’d had all week. Nicola spent all her time during the journey trying to snap a banana stall but unfortunately didn’t succeed and Lynn S has the only picture.

On Sunday evening we went to Long Island on a ferry. The weather was getting worse. Our guide showed us a fascinating hill of shells made 5000 yrs ago. Unfortunately we were unable to have our barbeque and bonfire on an idyllic beach because of the rain. On the return ferry trip Ann, Linda, Natalie and Rachael were told "you out!" (to get out of the car in simple English) by Jackson, They were left stranded in the pouring rain on the ferry whilst everyone else sat in a warm comfy car as Jackson had to return to pick up the cook and his wife. On leaving the ferry Margot’s car struggled up the hill and twice stalled, almost rolling back into the bay. All had to evacuate the car whilst Margot drove it up the hill. Very cold and very wet the team arrived back at the Hotel for a warm shower and bed.

On Monday a 3-hour boat trip took us to an island where we trekked through an Atlantic rainforest to a waterfall and pool which we could swim in if it wasn’t so freezing cold. Ellie was the only one who braved the water (again) On the way back down Linda, Lynn S. and Roz discovered it was much more fun to slide down on their posteriors, than climb down like everyone else. Random “Love A Duck’s” were heard from Ann throughout the walk.
The evening was finished off with another meal of fish and fish and more fish and oysters and octopus and fish!
Tuesday we saw the local people fishing and catching our FISH dinner before heading to the mangrove swamp environmental centre where we saw a crocodile! We also saw lots of dolphins swimming in the bay before heading for our fish barbeque on an amazing little island, which was like taking a step back in time.

Today was back to work! The team at Casa Branca finished painting the balcony and planting all the flowers purchased last week. It’s now looking gorgeous.
At Casa Durado the team completed the work of painting louver windows and spent time playing with the children and watching the Quick Hit teams Video 2002.
The team at the Villa painted several coats on the front of the building not realising that this was only a base coat, which needed doing only once. They also levelled the soil mound at the front of the Villa to create a garden area and joined in an English lesson taught by Darla.
Ann, Roz and Linda left this morning to visit Skip, Debbie and Narendar in Joinville to support and encourage in their new project which is being set up there.

P.S. Everyone in good spirit despite lack of sun and warmth. Anybody want to buy a job lot of sun lotion??
We will leave you there as we are about to enjoy a takeaway Pizza. (no fish)

hey, where are you all? we wanna know what´s happenin´!!

Today we've seen some super sites around Curitiba. We then visited the zoo, taking the children from both Casas wth us. It was lovely. The children were very excited and it gave us another chance to spend some time with them. The rain held off but it is now pouring outside. We're now staying in and having Margo's stir fry. We intend to pack as we're off to Cannanea tomorrow. We'll make contact on our return(Tuesday). Love from us all xxxxx

Welcome to Friday!
The teams stayed in the same places as yesterday to complete their work - or so we thought!!!
Team Casa Branca found that instead of finishing off and planting the pots they had to embark on a new plumbing project. George removed the water pipe and tap from above the door and placed inside the newly cleaned loft. While he was downstairs the pipe came apart and gushed all over the loft. Anyone know how to say " Quick turn the water off, the lofts flooding." in Portugese? More mundane tasks included glossing the banisters with two coats of paint - using a roller! Sealing the wall and emulsioning. By the end of the day the site looked more of a mess than when it started but the painting is well on the way and the sun did shine on us!
At Casa Durada after 3 games of uno Beautiful (Linda) and 'Hos' (Ros) Painted a second coat of 'treacle'paint on the shutters and doors. Hakel (Rachael) painted a fish mural on the wall in the dining room.
At the villa rubble and rubbish was cleared to make room for a hardcore standing in front of the community centre. The kitchen got it's second coat of paint aand the classroom was returned to normal.
Day off tomorrow. Hurray! With love from the team.

congratulations, girls - you are achieving so much so quickly!
we hope you get some of our sunshine soon!!!
love to you all and everyone in brasil
keith and denise
x

It is the end of the second day and we are all very tired after working hard on three different projects. A group stayed at Casa Branca- our home for the rest of our trip. This group was made up of Natalie, Lynn S, Nicola and Ann, they cleared and cleaned the old aviary to turn into a outdoor area for the quick hit teams. It will be a great space for the teams to relax in with a beautiful view of Curitiba. They made a trip to the garden centre and purchased some traditional Brazilian plants to add some colour to the balcony The second group visited Casa Dourada and painted the exterior of the house , this group consisted of Linda, Rachel and Ros. While this group were working at the house a new child joined the family and the group was able to sit and talk and play with the children. Ellie, Becky, Lynn M and Rosie headed for the Villa to work on the community centre. As well as spending time with the children in the centre and teaching them English they repainted the interior and brightened things up. These were all great experiences and we accomplished so much in a day. these initial projects will be finshed tommorrow and photos may be available! We have brought the British weather with us unfortunately, it is cold and wet but we hope to do some outdoor painting within the next few days. Have been out for dinner at a pizzaria, trying out the infamous Chocolate and banana pizzas. They went down very well!
Love to everyone at home, from the team x

Well, we have arrived safely after 25 hours travelling. After a quick bite of lunch we all went to visit the favella, meeting Darla and the children at school. Margo then walked us around the local area and we were able to visit one family's home (see photo) which houses ten people. We've just come back from an evening meal and are all shattered so are now following the others up to bed. More tomorrow. Love, Lynn, Nicola, Becky & Ann xxxxx

the team is in the air and on its way to brasil - they will hopefully start to broadcast on this blog from wednesday night. the flight to sao paolo is 11 hours and then they have a 45 minute flight on to curitiba, where it has been 'cold' and 'rainy' for the past few days. let's hope for better weather as the next few days unfold! when they arrive it will be 11 am, two hours behind the uk time.

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quick hit trip 20 september 2005

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