After breakfast the group checked in expressing each feeling with a movement.  Then everyone packed and left Tumbira to visit another community, Três Unidos, located about an hour away by fast boat.

Bruna, Raquel and Isabel asked the participants to visit Três Unidos with the perspective of a tourist, knowing that community based tourism is the main economic activity of this community and that Tumbira aspires to a similar model in the future. The intention was to observe the similarities and differences, and also to reflect about sustainable community development and what this means.

Rafael, the FAS coordinator of Três Unidos and Adriano,  a FAS employee, received the group along with Kambeba community leader Vladimir. They shared stories and explained the main activities and challenges that they have and are facing as their community develops.

Rafael also introduced three community members who design beautiful t-shirts and became local entrepreneurs.

Vladimir gave context and history abou...

The day began with a simple check in to test trust and balance in the group. Everyone put their shoulders together in the circle and sat on each other’s lap. The first activity of the day was to divide in small groups and choose a house to spend a hour with the person/family who lived there. The purpose was to practice listening, empathy and to hear people’s stories - creating affection and starting friendships.

For the second activity, participants could chose to participate in a workshop on making handicrafts with Izolena or to make farinha and manioc products with Teresinha. Many expressed their joy in learning traditional techniques and loved the opportunity to dive into hands on physical activity.

After lunch the whole group gathered again to share their moments, thoughts and feelings about the morning....

On a sunny and warm Sunday, everyone traveled by boat to the big soccer tournament in a nearby community called Santa Helena of the English. Soccer is one of the biggest passions of the Rio Negro reserve communities and the tournament is very important opportunity to be together and celebrate.

The instruction for the day, from Raquel, Bruna and Isabel, was to enjoy, connect with people and observe themselves in this process of meeting new people in a new community. Participants were invited to notice the judgments and assumptions that would come to mind and the impact of being a visitor, especially for those who did not speak Portuguese.

After an amazing lunch, the group spent the whole day watching the game, interacting with people and children, playing and resting. When the group went back to Tumbira, they gathered in the classroom for check out. Isabel, Bruna and Raquel asked them to draw one image of the day and write a word.

After dinner, Tulio and Harsh created an outdoor theatre on...