Catarina Almeida in Vazantes, Brazil

"My name is Catarina Almeida, I'm 23 years old and I study Law at the Faculty of Law - Porto School. I chose this volunteering programme because it combined two very important things for me. Firstly, I really wanted to take part in a project with children and this one allowed me to spend time with kids aged 6 to 18, which was an essential factor in my choice. On top of this, I've always been passionate about Brazilian culture, so I also wanted to experience this reality, which is so different from my own."

"I spent a month in Vazantes, a small community in the interior of Brazil, and although it is very difficult to express everything I feel in this short testimony, I will try to convey a little of what I learnt. The sun rose early and the activities at the Fundação Fé e Alegria began at 8am.

We split up into small groups and prepared different workshops for children aged 6 to 18. There was something for everyone: Spanish lessons, dance games, painting, drawing, crafts, bracelets, handicrafts and lots of improvised games when things didn't go exactly to plan. From the very first day, the children were very affectionate towards us, welcoming us with open arms and giving us such tight hugs that we felt like staying in Brazil forever. But fortunately, I can say that it wasn't just the children. All the people of Vazantes welcomed us as if we were one of them and, in fact, we all felt part of that big family.

As we only volunteered in the mornings, we spent our afternoons in different ways. Many days we were taught Capoeira and Maracatu (a cultural manifestation from Pernambuco that has African origins and contains musical and dance elements), which allowed us to immerse ourselves in Brazilian culture and learn many new skills. In the free afternoons we went to watch football matches, band rehearsals, chatted to people, planned activities for the next day, or simply played in the street with the children. We also gave outdoor Zumba classes, where we danced with the mums and anyone else who dared to pass by the church square. After dinner, we had a routine that we wouldn't have changed: we would sit on the bench in the main street and chat with the neighbours (neighbours who became our friends and without whom this experience wouldn't have been the same).

One of the moments that struck me most about the whole experience was when the priest told us during Mass that before, they used to ask the children what they would like to do when they grew up and they would say that they wanted to be fishermen and farmers. And now, after starting this volunteering programme, when they are asked exactly the same question, they say that their biggest dream is to be a university student. This sharing made a huge impression on me and made me reflect on the huge impact that small actions can have.

I left Vazantes with a full heart: full of joy, a sense of mission accomplished, friends, gratitude and, above all, full of nostalgia. It was one of the most remarkable experiences of my life and I'm very grateful to all the people who made it possible. But above all to the people of Vazantes, who taught me the true meaning of humility and simplicity, true joy in small things and the power of a simple smile. I will take the lessons of this experience with me all my life and Vazantes will always have a special place in my heart."