Amazing young man in the MORE Project school in Brazil

The kids are thriving and there is a new initiative that I am passionate about – literacy.  So many of the kids come from illiterate homes and they just don’t have the preparation to become readers and writers at the public school.  They can get passed on for years at the public school with never mastering this basic but all important skill.  MORE has recognized this critical need and has set up a literacy classroom.  So many children’s lives have changed for the better since this new program has been implemented. 

 I met Matteus last year when I took a group on expedition.  He was one of our expeditioner’s sponsored child and was chosen to go with us to Rio.  He is a gorgeous ten year-old with big eyes and thick, beautiful eyelashes.  He was a gem on our trip to the Cristos and Sugarloaf but the teachers were surprised at the report of good behavior.  You see, he was an abused child and understandably, had tons of anger issues.  You’ve heard of families where one child is the abused child – that was Matteus.  His mother would get mad and make him sleep on the streets.  He would often come to the MORE Project with scabs and skin sores.  It turns, he was one of the illiterate kids at the project.  Our new literacy teacher reached out to him and provided one-on-one training.  He can now read and write – and his behavior has turned around 180 degrees.  He’s amazing.  I am thrilled for him.