Help Porto Alegre Recover From Severe Flood Event

Our work helping Porto Alegre recover from a severe flood event, April - September 2024

Community Distribution Objectives and Impact:

We provided support for the preparation and delivery of warm, nourishing food at four local food pantries for communities affected by the flooding in Porto Alegre.

22,490 marmitas prepared at CVD

9,135 marmitas prepared at Sailor’s

555 marmitas prepared at Mais

Total = 32,180 marmitas

We also provided support for the distribution of Non-Food Items (NFI’s) for these same communities.

Field Objectives and Impact:

Muck and Gut: we provided muck and gut services to private homes in high need of getting cleaned.

80 high need homes in the Sarandi and Canoas areas received a complete interior cleaning, including debris removal and mold sanitation restoring them to a level fit for habitation.

Muck & Gut: Homeowner Feedback:

We were feeling lost, not knowing where to start, and God placed on our journey people who were more than special, wonderful, who with all their empathy, dedication, commitment, and efforts to contribute showed us that we were not alone; it was the world united for a common cause.

You came at the saddest and most vulnerable moment to help me, to clean my house. I was unable to resolve this alone, as I lost my story, my references. And it was the most beautiful thing that happened to me, everyone with a smile, working hard to clean.  When you want to visit me, come by and I'll have a cup of coffee to offer.

You were angels that God placed in our lives after the loss of all our belongings and also the passing of my father because of the flood. We can only express our gratitude

and say that the work of removing debris and the general cleaning of our home, gave us back a bit of dignity and hope. Your support was very important, and our affection for you all is huge.

Furniture Building:  due to the high need, we built basic wooden platform beds for distribution to communities in need.

1,115 beds were constructed and distributed in high need areas around the Porto Alegre metro area.

Community Infrastructure:   with the assistance of volunteers and contractors, we improved the safety of the local ball field and provided some additional debris removal.

Installed 4 and 3m high fences to prevent the ball from going down a hill.

Repaired and painted the gates.

Built benches for the community to watch the games.

Removed debris from two outdoor recreational sites.  Fencing, benches and football goals built at Mais kitchen. Provided funds for contractor work fixing a broken gate, tiling the floor, building a ramp and installing a glass door in the office at Mais Kitchen.

Community Engagement Objectives and Impact:

We sought to engage and empower affected children’s and elderly communities through social engagement and a genuine approach to listening to their needs, providing an increased knowledge of English language, and a sense of not being forgotten.  The international community rarely goes into these vulnerable communities.  All of these efforts contributed to make these communities feel important.

450 combined learning hours for children and adults

Average attendance for children’s engagements (10-15 year olds) was 15 children per session.

450 average attendance for adult, elderly engagement 21.

Engaged volunteers in 15 engagement sessions overall with topics ranging fromsports to arts, including designing your own team shirt; introducing yourself, numbers and colours.

Volunteer Overview & Impact:

We engaged 83 residential and 4 day volunteers. We had 9 National Sponsorship Volunteers, and flew 41 volunteers to Sao Paulo through our partnership with Airlink.  Volunteers joined us from 16 different countries, including The Philippines, Malaysia, Belgium, Chile, and more.

Volunteer Feedback:

“I have volunteered with a lot of teams. I can say this is an exceptional group of people that creates a welcoming and supportive environment.”

“Very inclusive towards everyone :) I love that many activities were organized and that the Brazilian team really showed us their culture! Thank you”

“The staff at this base are a spectacular example of how things can work. Fun, hardworking, listening to needs and coming up with solutions quickly, coordinating with each other easily and keeping things moving along for everyone. Gold stars all around”

“Don't underestimate the work that you are doing in the world. It only takes a moment to change someone's life. Keep going and never give up.”

“This base had a very welcoming and positive environment. This is a direct result of the staff that were working here during this time. They lead by example, and the group follows through with positivity and optimism.”

We are very grateful to our donors and the affected communities that welcomed our staff and volunteers and made it possible to provide scopes of work that put so many of them on a stable path to recovery.  Obrigado!