It's Sort of Like Looking into a Mirror

Have you ever had that dejavu feeling? You know when you have done something and have that unexplainable feeling that you have done or experienced something that you are currently doing before. Our day was sort of like that.
We went to work with Ellen and Virginia in the morning. Work is ADCL translated as Association for the Development of Local Communities. Basically the organization was started as a Government program and when the funding ran out they became a non-profit to continue serving the clients in the Guimareaes region (in Northwest Portugal).
They showed us around a building that is very similar to our Extension offices with several offices and a large resource room. The difference was the cafeteria or kitchen with a working staff that makes lunch each day (a very important meal here). As Ellen shared a PowerPoint with us (yes, it was in English...our Portuguese is not that good),we found many similarities within our own county and state programs of the people we deal with. It is hard to capture their organization in a few words to adequately explain what they do (sound a little like 4-H and Extension?) but if I had to I would say their organization is a grass roots organization that is trying to improve the lives of people by educating adults and youth, in formal and informal modes on social and educational issues. Their success comes from programs that mirror programs we have in our community colleges, local governments, area non-profits, as well as Extension and 4-H.
Ellen and Virginia took us to 7 sights yesterday where they implement their programming. Most of the buildings are on loan from local precinct presidents or mayors and are very old (like the first village school) and are in need of repair. They make do with what they have and continue to constantly apply for funds to continue or expand their programming services. Sound familiar?
We enjoyed all of our visits but two probably stand out from the rest. One was our last visit when we traveled to a village where their program was housed in the first village school. There were about six youth in total at this site. Several were on computers, one was drawing, two more just chatting. You realized walking in this could have been the beginning of a 4-H club meeting in the states. One little girl jumped up and ran for a globe when she found out we were from the United States she and her friend said, "We need to take notes, we need to take notes on this." Anything we could tell them seemed to fascinate them, they were just thirsty for new knowledge. Virginia told me that one of the girls they would consider their best client was because she came in and has signed up for every program they offer and she can't get enough. She also showed us a newspaper that they designed and published on their own while she was on holiday (when she got back yesterday morning she found out she was a celebrity because the girls had written an article about her and put her photo in it), which she had no idea they were going to do. A year ago, these children had not seen a computer much less turned one on or worked it. Now, as Virginia would say, they are zoom zooming around on it making photos and newspapers.
The other site visit that will stay in my heart forever was to one of their most successful programs. Basically it is a small orphanage. They have both girls and boys so they can accommodate brothers and sisters in the program. Essentially it is a last stop for youth who have been taken from their families once they come into this program rarely do they go back home to live. We spoke with one young man, who was very proud to show off his language skills to us. He and his two brothers and sister live here. They consider it home and it is run very much like a large family. What struck me was the story of how devastated he was when he went to this home and what his life was like seven years ago and now he has hopes, dreams, and goals. As we left he told us he was going to come to the states, maybe New York or Philadelphia and he might come visit us. You know when I left I had one of those feelings that he would achieve his goal one day (and we had better not be too surprised if he turned up on any of our office door steps just to say see I did it).
After a long day of driving and observing we visited Citania de Briteriros which is a historical fortified town that dates back two centuries B.C. We walked along the rocky road and looked at the town including home foundations, gardens, and drainage and water systems that were before its time. As Linda said, "This just blows my mind."
After a long day we took a quick trip to a book store and then we had another wonderful dinner with Ellen and Virginia and their families. I must say one of the best parts of this experience has been sitting down to dinner. Not just because of the incredible food, but because each time we sit down it has felt like we are with friends and family that we have known all of our lives rather than just a few short days. I will miss our meals, our conversations, but most of all the laughter that has kept us up to all hours of the night.
Tomorrow we are headed on yet another adventure some of which has been announced, some of which is still a surprise to us. Then we will have to head back to Vila Real and say goodbye to our gracious hosts, and catch up with everyone on their adventures.