Cristina Oliveira

    I was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Before finishing high school I began taking English classes. I studied hard to learn English and I eventually became an English teacher at the school at the age of 18. I supported my 2 sisters during this time as well, working three jobs at times and still found time to study. I moved to Tabatinga, Brazil to help my father in 1996 when I also met Donald now my husband. While I was in Tabatinga I was involved with many things in the community. I was an English teacher and taught in 3 of the public schools for four years. I also owned and operated my own English school from 1996 until I left in 2001. I was Matre de at most of the public school functions and some of the city functions too. I had my own radio show on one of the local radio stations helping the local men and women. I owned a motorcycle rental business which Donald helped me with for a short time while he was there. He was kind of a celebrity at my English school every time he came to town. My students were so anxious to converse with him when he was there.

 

    Donald McElfresh

    Mr. McElfresh spent 14 years in the military traveling around the world. Mr. McElfresh once said in an interview, "I never met a nationality of people so full of life and energy as are the Brazilians. Brazilians have a strong desire to live every day to its fullest as though there is no tomorrow. I have never seen so much sacrifice to do what they want and to fulfill their desires. They live such difficult and hard lives sometimes having to work 2 or 3 jobs just to provide for their families."

Finding work is difficult and when you do you have to take 2 or 3 buses or even a train to get there. After you find employment you will not receive your first paycheck for 30 days. Most Brazilians are poor and barely make $150.00 U.S. a month. Some people have more because they have made sacrifices to get a good education. Brazilians are a happy people with a great appreciation of life no matter what life throws at them. I have seen children roll up rags to make a makeshift soccer ball and play even in the rain. I remember my own mom would holler at me and my little brother if we were outside playing in the rain and getting muddy. We would get a beating if we got our clothes dirty in the process.  My wife and I have seen first hand the hardships they face every day. When you leave home in the morning to go to work you don't know if you will make it home in the evening alive. But don't let me scare you here. The situation is not as grave as it sounds. You just have to use caution on where you go. This is one of the problems with poverty not just in Brazil but around the world. You can't tell what can happen to you when you walk out the door. The problem stems from greed, lack of education,