Thank You Terra Prometida

I am Dr. Steven White, a professor from the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. On behalf of my colleague, Dr. Godwin Ariguzo, and the 31 students with us, I would like to thank the women and children of Terra Prometida for allowing us to visit this beautiful community.

Our interaction with you has profoundly changed our lives in ways that are hard to explain. You have taught us so much about the meaning of community, family and friends that we feel guilty. From our perspective, your community hasn’t benefited as much from us as we from you.

Thank you Annie for sharing your family with us. You are wise beyond your years. Your drive and compassion are worthy for all to emulate and provide proof that one person CAN make a difference. We hope to continue to work with you to make the world a better place for all women and children.

And thank you Eleni. Your dedication and desire to serve as a positive influence guiding the lives of your community is worthy of sainthood. So much strength, focus and compassion bundled into one-person makes you a catalyst for change. Your vision offers the community hope for a better future. And as professors, this community’s focus on empowerment through education makes us proud.

Finally, thank you to all of you who have touched our lives and our hearts. We leave Terra Prometida as better people. And we hope that we have contributed to your successful future in some small way. From this day forward, although we live in Massachusetts, we will forever proudly claim to be from Terra Prometida, students of Eleni and Annie, and 100 percent Brazilian.