“Ongoing demonstrations, the upcoming World Cup, preparations for the Olympic Games and approaching elections – 2014 is considered to be a very important year for Brazil. Consequently, many stories are out there waiting to be covered. Beyond Your World would like to make a big contribution with this special project and needs your help!”
On the 10th of January 2014 at 16.26 I pressed a button that could change my student life forever!
As a mature student aged 28, it won’t be long before I will can no longer apply for opportunities given to young people(18-30). Time isn’t on my side, and in many ways, I’m feeling the pressure. So with this in mind, and just 34 minutes before the 17.00 deadline, I said a short prayer then clicked the send button to submit my application to for the“Beyond Brazil – Brasil Além” project.
This is an opportunity I can’t afford to miss!
I left the application process a little late as I was away for one month in the Middle East (Egypt, Israel and Jordan) returning just days before the deadline. However I’m optimistic that I expressed how much this opportunity would mean to me in the limited time I had without sleep to work on my motivation letter, CV and select work for my portfolio before the deadline.
I could be one of 3 young reporters chosen from the UK to cover social development issues in Brazil as the eyes of the world focus on Rio de Janeiro for the World Cup later this year… Beyond Brazil!
Here are a few of my blog posts during my stay in Brazil this time last year when I counted my blessings and subtracted failure to unfold confidence within myself!
Maid in Rio I got a taste of the harsh reality of many working class Afro-Brazilians as I offered to go to work with my friend Patricia, from the humble suburbs of Nova Iguaçu to the upper class apartments of Copacabana
Kai Li’s Tabom project An introduction to an on-going project I have been working on from 2010. I have since traced my ancestry, and learnt about my ancestor who left Salvador Bahia as a single mother to return to the ‘unknown’ for a better life, after the Male Revolt of 1835… Her strength and courage resides in me!
Another diaspora This was the beginning of my project to interview and share the stories of Africans living and working in Central.
Tour Guide to Rio de Janeiro I feel like I know Rio like the back of my hand now… Well at least all the places marked in the guide book thanks to an exclusive tour by Rodrigo Pires I tagged along to with Italian travel journalist, Alberto Corpo!
Central Street Success My photography project of 7 Africans making a living for themselves on the streets on Central. What does ‘home’ mean you you? Each one had a simple answer to offer.
A lighter shade of Black I was inspired to write about my personal observations of Brazil whilst I chatted to a friend on Facebook. How could I describe to him that despite all the wonders he had heard of Brazil being a ‘rainbow nation’, racism lurks in its illusion… Many would could it ‘classism’. A rose by any other name, is still a rose – even if it doesn’t smell as sweet! Denying that racism doesn’t exist isn’t helping society.
This post is still one of my most viewed on my travel blog. It was written just two weeks into my three-month stay… Written freely. How I felt that very moment – from pen to paper.
I saw this a thought – wow! When a picture of a Black woman on the cover of a magazine grabs my attention to make me think “wow”, there is something not quite right. Brazil has the largest population of black people after Nigeria, yet the media and many aspects of society doesn’t represent this percentage.
Curves of Architecture Niemeyer’s legacy is still evident in Brazilian society. I interviewed Italian Architect Sergio Giogini during his visit to one’s of Niemeyer’s most renowned master pieces and popular tourist site; Museu de Arte Contemporânea in Niteroi.
Fears of a Travel Addict I questioned my right a wo(mb)man, traveller and where exactly children will fit in…
Press stop – Pelourinho! I got my press pass to cover the Carnival in Bahia… My dream of experiencing carnival in Brazil – achieved! I met Maira Araújo; the social media coordinator for the Secretary of Culture of Bahia at the press office and she shared with me a few social media tips! Also check out Maira’s List: top 5 places to visit in Salvador!
Spike Lee captures carnival in Maragojipe! Accidentally meeting Spike Lee in Maragojipe 50km away from Bahia’s main carnival it’s capital Salvador just goes to show great minds think alike – we both happened to be covering the carnival of this small town! Go Brazil Gois the documentary Spike Lee was filming in Brazil. It’s due to be released in June. Look out for it!
Carnival da Bahia – Ouro Negro If you choose to be in Salvador for carnival, then you’ll experience black gold with the Pelourinho circuit!
Thank you to all those who followed, shared and supported me on this journey!
If it’s meant to be, I’ll be back in Brazil as a young reporter in a few months!
Have you checked out my new student blog The Educationally Frustrated Student?… Follow me on there also!
Travelmaker Kai 
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