The AmSoc Blog

From the June issue of Forum

By Márcio Pires, president of Vivenda da Criança

On behalf of the Vivenda da Criança board, I appreciate the attention our entity gained during the American Society´s 60th Anniversary dinner on May 7.

Besides the large amount of money you have raised for our project, which no doubt will be extremely important for our 2010 budget, the publicity for Vivenda in such important event, alongside renowned many companies, is certainly a prestige never before seen in the work of Sister Yvone Venditti.

We invite you all to visit our organization to know closely the social work carried out, as well as accompany the implementation of the resources provided to Vivenda.

Access www.vivendadacrianca.com.br and find out a little more about our social projects.

From the June issue of Forum

There’s no denying it: we’re going to need your help. With more than 200 children coming to November’s AmSoc Angel Party, we’ll need more than 200 people to step forward and agree to sponsor a child. Will you be one of them?

November is still five months away, but you can start shopping for your child now. The list looks like this: tennis shoes, a backpack, a toy, pants and a shirt, socks, underwear, a coat or sweatshirt and some candy.

There are two good reasons to agree to sponsor a child now and start shopping early. (more…)

From the June issue of Forum

One of AmSoc’s sponsored institutions needs a new used car for pick-ups, family visits and general errand running. If you have a car that you’d like to get out of your garage, especially a company car, there might be tax benefits by donating it to a registered charity. Contact Sue Banman Sileci at sue@sileci.com if you want to see that car being used (and loved) by someone else.

From the May issue of Forum

By Simon Tharby, staff writer

What happens when you mix 48 young people from Sao Paulo orphanages with 100 volunteers at the U.S. Consul General’s residence? Well, mainly two things – A lot of fun ensues, and a new approach to volunteerism is developed.

AmSoc’s Community Action Committee teamed up with Consulate staff to host a Volunteer Sports & Fun Day on April 10 for children from four AmSoc-sponsored charities. The kids had the U.S. Consulate all to themselves that day, with volunteers steering them towards arts and crafts, swimming, basketball and soccer lessons, via teachers from Olimpia Escola de Futebol. (more…)

From the April issue of Forum

By Kelly Maurice, AmSoc member

Several members of the Community Action Committee (CAC) recently visited local charity Projeto Sol, along with Projeto Sol’s loyal supporters, U.S. Consulate General Tom White and his wife Terri White, who has been CAC’s liaison for Projeto Sol for the last two years.  

A special visitor also came on this day, Mark Pitt, president of Shermin Williams.  Mark had recently donated a generous amount of paint for the expansive common area to be freshly painted in lively terra cotta and green hues.
Everyone enjoyed meeting the children’s teachers and the administrative staff, followed by a lovely introduction about the origin of Projeto Sol by Sister Angela. All the leasers and the children that we met were so personable and truly kind. (more…)

From the April issue of Forum

Every month AmSoc members tell the Forum about Sampa pets in need of a good home. Check out this month’s feature dog:
Name: Still don’t have one
Age: almost two months
Color: Black and tan

Sex: male
Fleas: none
Ticks: none
Size: medium
Kilos: adult size maybe 15 kg
Farts: no
Housebroken: no
Hobbies: loves to play, and be petted!
Vaccines: yes V8
Neutered: not yet
Injuries: no
Ability to walk on a leash: yet to be determined
Level of perfect goodness for a nice family: really high�
Cost to you: one ton of love
Applications: Being accepted at carol.kliass[at]uol.com.br

From the March issue of Forum

By Kelly Maurice, AmSoc member

GM offered a follow up gift to the American Society’s Communittee Action Committee (CAC) in December, taking 60 children, ages 6-15, to visit the stock car race practice day at the Autodrome in Interlagos. (more…)

From the March issue of Forum

By Simon Tharby, staff writer

Karri Ware was vital to the success of the 2009 AmSoc Angel Party, but you probably wouldn’t know it, as she often works in the background.

She organized all 190 volunteers at this party for Sao Paulo orphans, including contacting, delegating, scheduling, and arranging specific training.

Ware came to Sampa four-and-a-half years ago, because of her husband’s work. They originally planned an 18-month posting, but chose to stay. “ I think it’s a beautiful place,” she said. “I like the people and the ‘calmness’ here, though I know many people will think that’s a strange thing to say about SP.”

She joined AmSoc and The International Newcomers Club on arrival here, quickly hearing about voluntary work through members of both groups. “I think (volunteer work) is what I need to do. It’s the right thing to do. There’s enjoyment in it when you see the children’s faces, but I have a lot more than they have, so I feel a need to share. It’s what every person should do.”

Despite having four children, Ware also works voluntarily at her daughters’ school – Chapel School. She trained as a “parent helper,” and works in the classrooms two days a week. She also helps with the International Festival, and annual Art Show. She’s also an active member of the St. Paul’s Anglican Church.

Ware’s unafraid to speak her mind regarding social responsibility. “Most expats can give more than they give. A lot don’t understand that even a little makes a difference. I think sometimes they are fearful of not being able to speak Portuguese well enough, but they can still help even if they don’t speak a word [of Portuguese].”

From the March issue of Forum

Name: Michael Fine
Origin: Atlantic City, N.J.

Time here: five-and-a-half years
Profession: I run my own marketing consulting business.
Why Sao Paulo?: The short answer is that my wife is from here. I met her in 2000, whilst doing my year abroad as part of my MBA course. We later lived in the U.S., but when we decided to have a family we settled in SP.
Best thing so far: The Brazilian culture as a whole — the food and the music, especially samba. I also love the diversity here. Sao Paulo is a great city with all the different cultures, people, restaurants and the general hustle and bustle of life. It’s also perfect for me as this is where most of the businesses are.
Early frustrations: It’s a big city! I’ve lived in other big cities before — London, Boston, Atlanta — but Sao Paulo doesn’t have the same quality of public transport, so you’re forced to deal with the traffic.
Have saudade for anything back home? American (sports); World Series. Most food I can get here, but I sometimes miss ‘Silver-ear Jersey corn’. Of course I miss my family and my friends. It’s been tough getting back as often as I would like, but I visited last July – for the first time in five years.
Progress with Portuguese: I had extensive Portuguese training in the first year of my MBA. I then had an intensive one-month course when I arrived here. I’d say I’m pretty much fluent now.
Favorite place to hang out: The Palestra Italia (Palmeiras Soccer Stadium). I’m very much a fan! I love a lot of restaurants here, for example; Izakaya Issa, Liberdade, ‘Tapas’ Japanese style.