Instituto Valores da Vida

The Values for Life Institute is a basic education center for underprivilaged youth aged 12-17. In Manaus, the same school is used for three separate groups of students throughout the day (morning, afternoon, evening). This means that students are only in school for a third of the day. The institute exists to provide students a safe place to go while not in school, to suppliment to their regular education,  and to teach them about God’s love. Some courses at the institute have included English, Spanish, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, cooking, leatherworking, and sewing.

Below Left: The Values for Life Institute  Right: Our English class

We have been teaching English at the Institute every Monday since we arrived.  Anna Ensz who has been assisting us with translation has been invaluable and we really appreciate all of her help!  Each week as we learn more Portuguese it has been getting easier to communicate with our students.

Below: Some of our students and Anna (in the blue shirt)

Because of unexpected school activities as well as responsibilites at home, our class size varies from week to week, however we currently have a total of 9 students. They are all very bright and we enjoy teaching them very much.  It has been so great to see each of their personalities emerge as they become more comfortable with us.

Below Left: Playing Jeopardy! as a review  Right: Our students

Summer holidays are from the end of November to the beginning of February. We have our theories about why.  First, it does not get particularly cold here so perhaps they prefer to have it during Christmas.  Another theory is that rain often prevents people from participating in things because of floods.  That being said, we taught our last class on Monday and we will resume teaching in the new year, possibly in different areas of study (including silk screening and photography).