I believe a country that doesn’t know its past, can’t have a better future

João’s routine hasn’t changed since he was accepted into Haverford College with a full-ride scholarship to study political science and education for the next four years. However, the LALíder from VLB8 and English teacher at LALA’s University Placement Program already planned his next steps within the university and what he intends to do even before graduation: change Brazilian education!

‘’I am a son of the matriarchy’’

There is a reason this is the first sentence of his personal statement, his application’s main essay. Although it was born naturally to him, his love for education, especially for History, was fostered by his mother.

She is an extremely political and feminist person, so she always taught me those values well. She also taught me to value History. Whenever we were on the bus during my chilhood she explained the city’s history, who lived where, what was what, you know? So, I feel that my mother, as I grew up with her, instigated in me my values, my political agenda, my interests.

His connection with History got him to be a mentor in Historicratizando, a virtual project that gave access to free History classes for public school students. Since this opportunity, João realized he would be back in the classroom in the future, but this time to share his knowledge about History.

‘’Education in itself, for me, always happened more outside the classroom than inside it.’’

Curiously, João learned about education by volunteering. He helped to rebuild the Pastoral Juvenil Marista,  his school’s volunteer program which developed many community activities. However, even before he got involved with PJM, he met the Rotary Interact Club at Curitiba Bom Retiro, which is part of Interact, an international organization that encourages youth social engagement.

Under his leadership, Rotary focused on the democratization of education for students from public schools. By presenting Rotary’s internal and external opportunities for the youth, João followed his goal of changing people’s lives through education.

‘’ My first everything was Lala…’’

My first everything was Lala.  My first application, my first essays in English, and I think that the most important for me after the V-camp was the connections. Knowing that I was not alone in the world, that there were people from similar realities to mine, people with every type of experience connected themselves there with the purpose of knowing each other, changing the world, creating projects, volunteering. […] I’ll tell you in my daily life I hardly find people like this, you know?

And, once again, João found himself back in education-related spaces. After being accepted to the University Placement Program as a mentee and being accepted in Haverford, he decided to expand this opportunity to more students. Being an English teacher at the UP confirmed to him that education saves lives and guarantees access to it is life-changing.

João believes education goes beyond the common subjects. Education is alive. It is present. It is built in practice and must be shared. And Lala is proud of having him fighting on our side for that!

This interview was scheduled by Nicolle Cardoso, written by Elizabete Fernandes, and edited by Gustavo Caetano. They are part of LALA’s Volunteer Media Production Team.