Global Citizens Network (GCN) Project Site:
Marituba do Peixe, BRAZIL
Check Trip Schedule for Trip dates
The Area and People
A River Community in the Midst of an Environmental Reserve
From the lush rainforests of the Amazon to the deserts of Ceará, from the tranquil beaches of the 4600 miles of coastline to the vibrant energy of Carnival, Brazil has something for everyone. Anyone who has experienced it will surely agree with the often-heard saying: "God is a Brazilian"!
The municipality of Penedo is located in the northeast of Brazil in the state of Alagoas — famous within Brazil for its beautiful white sand beaches. Penedo is located on the banks of the Rio São Francisco, locally referred to as "Velho Chico" or Old Chico. Penedo played an important role in the abolitionist movement of the 1860's, being the site of the famous escaped slave community of "Quilombo dos Palmares" which survived attacks by the Portuguese for over 100 years before emancipation in 1888.
Penedo is made up of 37 towns, mostly located along the banks of the Velho Chico. Marituba do Peixe is located about 30 km up river from Penedo. The floodplains of the 4 rivers which join here are an officially-recognized Area of Environmental Protection. This floodplain is made up of an extensive lagoon and river complex, with unique wildlife and aquatic life which sustains the local inhabitants, along with the cultivation of sugar cane and rice.
The women of Marituba do Peixe have a long history of weaving palm fronds into bags, mats, hats, and other things which they sell in Penedo. The current generation of weavers has been working with the city hall in Penedo to develop business skills to increase their earnings. Through GCN's contacts at city hall, we were introduced to the women's collective at Marituba do Peixe. The women's collective has invited GCN to participate in the development of a coop building to serve as a meeting place and common work area for the group.
The details of this project are still being developed. This will be the first team to visit Marituba do Peixe. During this exploratory trip, team members will help to gather information about the town and the women's group to determine if the project is suitable for a long-term relationship with GCN.
What an Exploratory Trip is About
This will be the first GCN team to visit Marituba do Peixe—the purpose of the trip is for the host organization and Global Citizens Network to learn more about each other before embarking on a long-term commitment. A trip of this kind requires a lot of flexibility on the part of the trip participants. It offers more freedom to meet the people and explore the larger community than a regular “work trip” allows. The benefit of having volunteers on an exploratory trip is that the host community can learn about volunteers: what their intentions are and how the team interacts with the community. The volunteers also help the team leader explore logistical and philosophical concerns by providing feedback.
Travel Itinerary
Flights from the US and Canada fly overnight, arriving in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo in the morning. From there you will catch a local flight to Maceio, where team members will meet the GCN Team Leader in the airport. The team will spend the day resting and exploring Maceio's markets and beaches. The next day the team will travel by van to Penedo, a distance of 160 km, and from Penedo we will travel up river 30 km to Marituba do Peixe.
Accommodation and Meals
The community has generously offered to host the GCN volunteers in their homes for the length of our stay. Meals will be taken as a group. Typical foods in the area include seafood cooked in coconut milk, rice, beans, farofa and tapioca made from manioc flour, fresh fruits, and coconut water.
Time to Explore
The GCN experience is time in the host community, which allows for plenty of time to get to know the local community in your own way. It is important to note that January is approaching the peak carnival tourist season in Brazil and accommodations before or after the GCN trip, especially in Rio de Janeiro or Salvador, must be made as early as possible. Because of this, potential participants are strongly urged to sign up for this trip well in advance of the trip date.
Health Issues
Participants are required to be in sound health. Potential participants with significant physical limitations are encouraged to check with their physician and discuss the situation with GCN staff beforehand. Some inoculations may be required. Check with your local travel clinic or the Center for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ for accurate information.
Brazil is a democracy, and its political situation is stable. The United States State Department web site http://www.state.gov/travel/is a resource for updated on travel advisories in Brazil and other countries.
Costs
The program cost for this two-week trip is $1,850. Program costs covers on-site accommodations (lodging and meals), in-country travel, training materials, donation to the project, t-shirt, and a portion of the team leader’s expenses.
Airfare to Maceio in Brazil, and costs relating to activities outside of thevillage, are additional and the responsibility of the individual participant.
All trip related costs are tax-deductible in the U.S.
Discounts available (one per person/group)
For further information contact us
Global Citizens Network
130 N. Howell St.
St. Paul, MN 55104
(651) 644-0960 or (800) 644-9292
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