There is currently a crisis in Venezuela, and many of its citizens are moving to neighboring countries. Belém, Brazil is considered one of the largest cities in the north of Brazil. It attracts many immigrants and refugees to the region.
One group of Venezuelans in particular, the Warao community, have recently beein arriving in Belém and various other cities in Brazil. They are an indigenous group in Venezuela. Most Warao people speak Spanish as a second language in Venezuela. Many of the volunteers here have difficulty communicating with the Warao communities because there is a language barrier.
For a few months, I have been a volunteer Portuguese teacher in my spare time. I am here through an exchange program; however, I can relate to the struggle of learning a new language in a completely unknown environment. This motivates me to continue my volunteer work!
When I arrived in Belém, I knew that I wanted to volunteer here. I am a firm believer that volunteer work will always provide a broader perspective on the world. Wherever I may be, I always continue to work with NGOs (Non-Governmental Organization) and other volunteer organizations in the region.
In February, I learned about the Warao community. While there are many non-Warao Venezuelans in Belém, one of the most vulnerable populations are the indigenous refugee communities here.
