Lauren Batty
A challenge I overcame: To pursue my dreams and do
what makes me happy even when it seems impossible or tough.
A dream for my future: To have a family, be happy
and to continue doing what I love to do.
A hope for the global community: For everyone to live in unity
and have the basic needs all humans deserve to have.
Lauren Batty is the amazing long-term
volunteer dance teacher at the Meninadança Pink House in Medina. Originally from Bradford in north England,
Lauren has been here in Brazil since the house opened in January and once she’s
popped home this July to sort out her visa, will come back out for another full
year of working with the charity.
Lauren, called Lorena by the girls and
staff, trained in drama in the UK and teaches street dance to the girls. Having been here since the beginning of the
project, Lauren has been an integral part of the girls settling into the house
and has observed them change from being shy and nervous girls with a lot of
neighbourhood rivalry, growing more relaxed and more confident over the passing
months.
Lauren has done really amazing work with
the girls, preparing them and being alongside them at a number of public dance
performances already, both in Medina and in surrounding towns. Right at the beginning of my placement I
remember watching Lauren’s videos of the girls performing and being really
moved and inspired about the upcoming work at the Pink House, thinking “this is
what its all about!”
You can really see the love that the girls
have for Lauren, and it was beautiful to hear a few of them stand up on stage
and thank her at our performance on the 8th June “O Seu Olhar Pode
Transformar As Nossas Vidas” (Your Look Can Transform Our Lives). This week as I write will have been Lauren’s
last before heading home for the visa and I know the girls will be missing her
hugely and looking forward excitedly to her return.
So wishing you a brilliant time back home
Lauren, and a safe and swift return to our girls at the Pink House later in the
year. Thanks for all the shared time (and for the tip-off about that great
chocolate cake in the square!!)
Big love
:-)
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