Fernanda Rodrigues do AmaralInterviewed in 2021
Fernanda Rodrigues do Amaral studied administration at university. After graduating, she worked in a bank for 10 years in the commercial and finance sector, and left for a job with more purpose, to help the planet, environment, and communities in need.
What challenges do you often face in your work and how do you overcome them?
Most of the difficulties come from lack of communication and different perspectives. We are always working for open and attentive communication, understanding all perspectives, and talking through problems to arrive at a better solution.
What are some current projects you are working on?
Currently I handle the finances for ETIV do Brasil. I take care of administrative issues such as salaries, bill payments, spending reviews, and ways of saving expenses. I am also working on an ecological sanitation project. It is based on the “do-it-yourself” idea, which can work very well for the mangrove houses located in the community. We can get help from the residents, integrating the community in improvements.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Reality up close becomes your reality too. It’s important to know how to separate things to not get lost in their evolution, purposes, and paths. There is always more than one perspective in each story. Always prioritize open communication.
What makes ETIV do Brasil special?
At ETIV, we have the opportunity to experience a unique culture because we are in one of the regions of Brazil with the highest index of social inequality, but at the same time with large areas of conservation and ecological diversity. People from all over the world can volunteer here, experiencing this culture and helping to develop the community socially and environmentally.
?We have several social projects, aimed at the community integration and development in several important sectors such as female empowerment, prejudice, and education. Additionally, we have environmental projects that bring awareness to and educate on preservation, conservation, and revitalization.
?For volunteers who are here temporarily, we give guidance on more ecological and sustainable practices at home and in our daily lives.
Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?
We are currently one of the few NGOs with programs for foreigners in the northeastern and northern regions of Brazil, allowing for a rich experience, despite being one of the least developed and poorest regions in the country. In addition, we also have more advantageous prices than most international NGOs in Brazil.??The ETIV NGO has projects that are well integrated with the community and are transparent, making an incredible experience possible.
What hopes do you have for the future for ETIV?
I mainly hope for a great partnership with state agencies (city hall / secretariat of the environment / etc.), which would help increase the efficiency of inspections and issues related to the environment, which agencies do not place much importance in today.
How do you help support participants?
Explaining first why we are doing this, the problem, and how to help is a very important part of learning and raising awareness. Talking about the mission and values ??of the NGO is also important to understand the work that is done and how we can help in the best way.
What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?
Participants usually ask how ETIV helps the community, as well as questions more specific about the community: what is the routine of the residents; what are the differences between the neighborhoods; how do we work on environmental conservation; among others. We send a newsletter to all volunteers before they arrive, explaining the projects, the job, and giving an overview of the NGO.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Travel abroad helps both in an individual’s growth of the conscience, as well as in learning feelings such as empathy, solidarity, etc. that are specific to each country and culture. It demonstrates a living reality, which you understand differently in person than from afar. You learn that there may be a much more effective help to those in need, and can contribute to the betterment of the planet in various ways.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
Try to research the local culture before arriving, including religious customs, education, hygiene practices, and safety. After you have an overview of the place and when you arrive, be polite, friendly, and try to openly communicate, trying to see things from different perspectives.
We have to be open to the differences, so that we can build new knowledge and break down wrong ideas.What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is a trip that has directly impacted my way of thinking about something in life. It literally gives meaning to an action, feeling, or some way of thinking about something, which I have not recognized or understood before.
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