Indiana Partners Face Busy First Quarter |

From January 9 through March 6, Indiana Partners will host six Gaucho teenagers, five teens from other parts of Brazil, a psychiatrist, an English teacher and the President of our southern counterpart Chapter.

Partners Visitor in January Brings Unique Perspective |

The Indiana Chapter of Partners of the Americas is happy to welcome Ana Mary Leitao Duarte in January. She has been helping local Partners select and prepare our Youth Ambassadors for many years, and is interested in visiting projects that concern children and adolescent victims of violence and/or abuse.
   

Indiana Partners Hold Annual Meeting |

The Indiana Chapter of the Partners of the Americas held it's Annual Meeting in the John Barto Cafeteria on the Indiana State Fairgrounds on November 6, 2004.
    

Indiana Partners President Lilya Wagner Reports on The Year's Activities |

One of the highlights of this year was the rechartering of the Indiana Chapter, a task led by Bill Fuller, with the cooperation of board members who provided information. Receiving the official notice of our membership status indicated, once again, our interest in reaching across to our partners in Brazil and involving both organizations in activities of mutual interest.

Report of Vice-President Special Projects |

Tippecanoe County Extension Homemakers has become vitally interested in the work and progress of Viva Vila in Alegrete, Rio Grande do Sul(RS), Brazil. Their interest began after learning of the need for sewing and craft supplies to assist the Viva Vila Project in its efforts to improve the welfare of otherwise unskilled young women and teen-age girls.
   

Youth Ambassador Reports on his Experiences in Brazil |

During my trip to Brazil I had the opportunity to stay with the Braun family in Gravatai. I had hosted Bruno Braun in January, February, and March and was honored to have the privilege to stay with his family.

Indiana Partners Face Busy First Quarter |  

From January 9 through March 6, Indiana Partners will host six Gaucho teenagers, five teens from other parts of Brazil, a psychiatrist, an English teacher and the President of our southern counterpart Chapter.

The six teens are coming under the auspices of our on-going Youth Ambassadors Program. They will arrive on January 9 and stay until March 6.

The other five teens are sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia. They will spend one week in Washington, DC, visiting cultural events and government officials. After that, they will come to Indiana for one week. Their visit will take place from January 14 through January 21.

Ana Mary Duarte, a psychiatrist, interested in domestic violence and children's problems will be here from January 9, arriving the same day as the YAPs, and staying through January 21.

Maria da Graca Duarte, an English teacher, is from the Brazil/North American Bi-National Center (Cultural) in Porto Alegre. Graca is interested how administrators motivate teachers to do their best in spite of inadequate funding. She will be here from January 21 through February 12.

Juliano Streb Nogueiro, recently re-elected President of Partners Rio Grande do Sul, will be in Indiana from February 1 through February 21.

His goal is to re-connect with Partners/Friends while working out partnership plans for the next two or three years.

The three adult visitors are being programmed in Indianapolis, Lafayette, Muncie and Terre Haute. Our plan is for them to have non-overlapping itineraries, so only one will be in any city at one time. The exact schedule is still being worked out.

The youth groups are being placed with host families arranged by Jhani Laupus and Hal Roepke.

It is always a pleasure to meet our charming and gregarious Gaucho friends. To insure that you get your chance, please contact the following.

Indianapolis:
Jhani Laupus for Gaucho YAP
Lilya Wagner for adult visitors

Lafayette:
Sallie Fahey
Betty Cook

Muncie:
Hal Roepke

Terre Haute:
Leslie Barratt

As always, check our web site at bsu/web/indpartners for the latest information. When the schedule for these visitors has been completed it will be posted there.

Partners Visitor in January Brings Unique Perspective |

The Indiana Chapter of Partners of the Americas is happy to welcome Ana Mary Leitao Duarte in January. She has been helping local Partners select and prepare our Youth Ambassadors for many years, and is interested in visiting projects that concern children and adolescent victims of violence and/or abuse.

Ana Mary is a psychiatrist and has been working with victims of drug addiction, parental negligence, sexual abuse, and other situations that put children and youth at risk. She will be visiting institutions in Indiana that deal with these social problems. Hosts in Muncie, Lafayette, Terre Haute and Indianapolis are arranging for her appointments. These will include juvenile court, CASA, YMCA's programs, children's homes, and similar organizations. Her experience with us in Indiana will enable her to be more proficient as an educator when she returns to Brazil.

We look forward to benefiting from her experiences during her Indiana stay. Welcome, Ana Mary.

Indiana Partners Hold Annual Meeting |

The Indiana Chapter of the Partners of the Americas held it's Annual Meeting in the John Barto Cafeteria on the Indiana State Fairgrounds on November 6, 2004.

President Lilya Wagner welcomed those in attendance and gaveled the meeting to order at 10:45 AM. There were thirty five people in attendance representing 12 cities: Carmel, Cory, Fishers, Indianapolis, Knightstown, Lafayette, Muncie, Rushville, Terre Haute, West Lafayette, Wheatfield, Whitestown, and Terre Haute.

By special arrangement with the Washington headquarters of the Partners of the Americas, Partners' Vice President for Partnership Development, Matt Clausen attended the meeting and was the keynote speaker. He was introduced by Jerry Karwowski, who arranged Matt's Indianapolis stay.

Matt briefly reviewed the history of how Partners was first organized in 1964. As the people to people arm of the Alliance for Progress, it was called Partners of the Alliance at that time. The name was changed later to Partners of the Americas. Partners initially operated under two boards of directors, but a reorganization combined governance into one international board that improved communications. He reported that another reorganization of the board in 2003 has brought new flexibility by allowing board members to be appointed by elected members.

Matt alerted members to a new challenge facing Partners with federal funding, and a new initiative, called Partners Counts. Because a new regulation requires that 20% of the cost of a federally funded project comes from volunteer's time, he stressed how important it is that each Partner member turn in documentation of time spent in volunteer work.

Matt reported on the 40th International Convention being held this year in Guatemala which, for the first time, is being called a Congress. Next year's international meeting will take place in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Matt concluded his presentation by showing an eight minute video about Partners.

Hal Roepke is handling the collection and reporting of volunteer time in Indiana as part of Partners Counts. Please let Hal know the amount of time you spent on Partners' project in 2004. More on this important activity can be found on the Partners web site: partners.net.

The other business of the organization was handled expeditiously. President Lilya Wagner reviewed the year's activities. The minutes of last year's meeting and the Treasurer's report were received and approved. The chairs of various committees presented their reports. Reports from both Youth Ambassadors Program and the Youth Agricultural Exchange were enthusiastically received.

The proposed visit by Ana Mary Leitao Duarte was brought before the meeting. The project was approved for implementation.

The Nominating Committee, chaired by Bob Book, presented a slate of candidates for Board positions as follows:

Judy Caress: Cory, Indiana
Chris Fenner: Young Farmer and Leadership Development Coordinator,
Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc.; Indianapolis
Jane McCaslin: International Vice President, Walker Information, Inc.; Fishers
Jim Nulty: CEO, Very Special Arts, Indiana; Indianapolis

Bob reported that two positions will be filled at a later time. The slate was elected unanimously.

President Wagner adjourned the meeting at 12:30 PM after which several members attended the International Festival sponsored by the Nationalities Council of Indianapolis. Indiana Partners operates an informational booth at the Festival.

Indiana Partners President Lilya Wagner Reports on The Year's Activities |

One of the highlights of this year was the rechartering of the Indiana Chapter, a task led by Bill Fuller, with the cooperation of board members who provided information. Receiving the official notice of our membership status indicated, once again, our interest in reaching across to our partners in Brazil and involving both organizations in activities of mutual interest.

Visitors from Brazil enriched our experience stateside, and we're laying plans, through the visit of immediate past President Leslie Barratt to Brazil in November, for further interaction in face-to-face experiences.

Brazilian theater artist and educator Joice Regina Dill de Brito E Cunha was in Indiana from January 20 through February 10 as a teacher in residence coming from the Bi-National Center (Cultural) in Porto Allegre.

Cecelia Ignes Paranhos Luz was in Indiana from Feb 1 through 13. Cecelia was interested in learning how students become involved in volunteerism and civic activism. These teachers spent time in Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Lafayette and Muncie.

Youth activities remain a focal point on the chapter's agenda. Jhani Laupus and Becky Roberts worked with the successful Youth Ambassadors program; two young men reported on their experience in Brazil during the annual meeting. This program enriches the lives of young people on both sides of the partners.

The Youth Agricultural Program, first lead by Abby Dougherty and now by Stephanie Warner, also reported at the annual meeting. Two young women spoke with enthusiasm about all they experienced during their three-week stay and illustrated their remarks with pictures, as did the Youth Ambassadors. The State Department Youth Ambassador program continues under the guidance of Hal Roepke, who is coordinating the host families in various Indiana cities.

Without host families and Partners' members who assist in the arrangements for hosting all Partners' visitors, our efforts to engage members in both cities would be feeble at best. Many thanks for all those who have participated and made these programs a success this year as well as in the past.

Another project lead by Norma Singley is Viva Vila. This is an effort to aid girls and young women in Alegrete in far western Rio Grande do Sul by providing sewing materials and helping with the training that results in their increased capability to not only provide handmade products but also to achieve more financial resources.

Thanks to Ben Strout, the Partners' newsletter keeps members informed and focuses on our shared goals. The newsletter is available on the Partners' website, which is bsu.edu/web/indpartners. We invite article ideas and contributors so that we can communicate about activities and interests.

Partners achieved good visibility with participation in Global Fest in West Lafayette, managed by Sallie Fahey, and the International Festival in Indianapolis, coordinated by Jhani Laupus. Our thanks to volunteers who helped staff the Partners' booths.

Another participant is our representative at the Nationalities Council meetings, Jerry Karwowski.

Partners is a volunteer-run member organization, and the national office has recognized how valuable this is: to us, to the cause, and to funders of Partners of the Americas. Hal Roepke is coordinating the effort to document volunteer hours of service, a request of the national office. We encourage all to report their hours, since this influences current and future funding, both of national as well as Indiana efforts.

Volunteerism extended to student involvement. Professor Melvin Sharpe of Ball State University frequently uses Indiana Partners' situations as a source of class projects for his students. Last spring such a project was a Strategic Plan for Membership Development. A summary of the students report was prepared for the Indiana Partners' Board of Directors by member Virginia Riesenbeck. Ginny is also producing a new publicity and recruitment piece, a brochure that is in final stages of preparation. We look forward to adding this item to our information resources, especially for new members.

Our thanks to departing board members: Rick Bein, Chris Felts, Stanley Sunderwirth and Maria Williams-Hawkins. They have served well. Bob Book is heading the nominating committee that will fill vacancies left by these capable people.

Partners of the Americas, Indiana Chapter, is dependent on the active involvement of its board and members so that mutual interest goals can be met. With that in mind, I invite suggestions, comments, and questions from the membership, particularly in ways that we can best serve you and the organization's interests and goals.

Tippecanoe County Extension Homemakers has become vitally interested in the work and progress of Viva Vila in Alegrete, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. Their interest began after learning of the need for sewing and craft supplies to assist the Viva Vila Project in its efforts to improve the welfare of otherwise unskilled young women and teen-age girls.

Viva Vila was started by an RS Partners member, Lisete Dias who lives in Alegrete. She recognized the need to provide a shelter for young women and teen-age girls who have little or no income, no skills and were idle on the streets in Alegrete. Many are of high school age. Lisete, and other women of the community provided a place where these women and girls could come and learn a craft and a skill. At Viva Vila, they learn to produce embroidered pieces, jewelry, as well as crocheted and painted items. As the young women progress in the program, as they find that they can do something useful and creative, their self-esteem begins to improve. Starting in a very small building, Viva Vila has now moved into larger quarters.

All this requires a considerable amount of sewing supplies and crafts material. An appeal was made to the Tippecanoe County Extension Homemakers for sewing supplies and material. The organization of County Extension Homemakers is one of the largest women's organizations in the world. Their main purpose is to improve the quality and stability of the home. There was a tremendous response to the appeal for support.

Nearly 100 pounds of fabric, knitting and crocheting yarn, needles, scissors, buttons, and decorative trim was collected. Indiana Partners absorbed the cost of shipping these materials to Viva Vila in the amount of $374.00.

Lisete Dias sent this response:

"Minha querida amiga Norma, you and the members of the Extension Homemakers club can't realize how important and helpful the supplies you've have sent are to the women and girls of our project, Viva Vila.

Enclosed, I'm sending some photos and also some news from our local paper. For sure, we hope to keep getting the supplies.

Norma, I'd like to know if you could send some names of institutions in America in order to send our project and ask them for a small grant to help in other important aspects like lectures about youth pregnancy, citizenship, etc.

We've been making campaigns to raise money to enlarge the room which is becoming very small. The one you see in the pictures is the result of a grant we got through Partners of the Americas. We could buy even a TV and a VCR to show videos about a variety of subjects in order to educate them. The chairs were the old ones from my english school."

The Tippecanoe county Extension Homemakers wish to continue gathering supplies and will seek approval for a statewide collection. Indiana Partners has agreed to fund transportation costs for the county collection.

It has been my privilege to work with Lisete in this worthwhile project.

Norma Jean Singley
Vice-President for Special Projects

Youth Ambassador Reports on his Experiences in Brazil |
By Jacob Nicholas

During my trip to Brazil I had the opportunity to stay with the Braun family in Gravatai. I had hosted Bruno Braun in January, February, and March and was honored to have the privilege to stay with his family. Bruno is the middle child of three. He has a younger sister named Luiza and an older sister named Helen. While staying with the Braun family I was able to become very close with the children and parents, Antonio and Loreci Braun.

Throughout the trip there were many unforgettable and memorable moments, but the one which stands out in my mind is the trip to Porto Alegre to watch the Gremio game. Luiza, Bruno, Antonio, Bruno's uncle, and I left Gravatai around 7:30pm on a Tuesday night to go see the Gremio game. Gremio was playing Santos which was one of the best teams in the league at the time. The crowd and the cheering were amazing as we watched number 18 Gremio beat number 1 Santos.

One of the biggest and most noticeable cultural differences which I observed was the way in which people greet each other. Instead of greeting each other with a hand shake like you would in the United States, it is common to give a girl or women a hug and two or three kisses on the cheek. For a man to man greeting it was common like in the United States to shake hands. I feel though overall there is more public affection between people in Brazil.

The funniest or most humorous experience for me in Brazil was trying to communicate with people. Throughout my whole stay and especially at the beginning, I had to use many hand motions and gestures for my friends and host parents to understand what I was trying to say. There were many instances I would need to have someone translate to communicate to my host parents and friends. Towards the end of my stay, I believe I was able to communicate with everyone much better.

During my second week in Brazil, Matt and I did volunteer work in Porto Alegre. We traveled to different English schools called "Culturals" and talked about ourselves, Indiana, and the United States. It was a great opportunity for me to meet new people who spoke English and strengthen my Portuguese. At the end of the week Matt and I were together at Ana Isabel's cultural classes talking with the students. I feel this is a great and easy way to do community service while in Brazil.

Once I returned to Indiana, I was eager to share all of my wonderful experiences with friends and family. The first thing I did was show my parents all of my pictures of friends, family, and different places I had visited. I told them about all the great and unforgettable moments I had in Brazil. I encouraged my friends and family to travel to Brazil and see what this great and magnificent country is like.

Jacob's photo album can be viewed on Indiana Partners' web site: bsu.edu/web/indpartners.