Hello World!
Coming back from the ICBIE in Salvador de Bahia I can confirm: this place really exists! What a truly amazing experience… Every night it was a never ending smile for what had happened and one couldn’t wait for the next day! Meeting Pietro, his wife Marlene and many of the other ICBIE co-workers was one of the most gratifying experiences of my life. After this trip I looked at the world in a different way, not only because I explored new cultures and new lifestyles, but also because I really realized how lucky we are in going to such a school as AOSR, to have bread everyday, to have money for a metro trip and to have houses where there is running water. Visiting the orphanage which the ICBIE supports gives also another really shocking vision of the reality. Other than teaching, it was also a very fun experience! After having re-met the two artists that came to AOSR to draw the huge mural found right before the principal’s office, Julio and Bigode, everything became more practical. They took me and my family to visit the town center, the poor suburbs, the markets etc… We also had a small Italy vs. Brazil soccer match, were they squished us 10-4… Also the beaches were fantastic, after being used to the ones in Rome! For anyone interested in going, they can just contact Mr. Zimmerman, or for a more recent experience contact me. I strongly advise anybody with interest in helping out the needy and with an exotic feeling of exploring the Southern part of the world to go, because it is really an unforgettable experience.
Gabriele Fabozzi
Gabriele is a high school senior at the American Overseas School of Rome, and, as an International Baccalaureate student, is a leading participant in the Bridge to Bahia project, linking AOSR with the ICBIE. With his two younger sisters and his parents, he stayed at the ICBIE for the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
