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Some of the Volunteer Brazil Team and other info...
Alan and Mirian Thomas (new photos coming soon)
Alan is Co-Founder of volunteerbrazil.com. Originally from Wales in The United Kingdom, and in fact the only non-Brazilian member of our team. Alan takes more than a keen interest in all aspects of our organisation, but tends to focus on marketing and development objectives.
This is what Alan said when I asked him about the objectives of his organisation.
¨ We will only remain the leading Brazilian volunteer and travel organisation for as long as we continue to deliver the help and support which Brazilian communities and families need most, and by delivering an unprecedented level of customer service to our volunteers¨.
Alan`s Biography: Alan is a Welshman, originally from Wales, United Kingdom.
Most of Alan`s early professional experience was gained in marketing management, culminating in the position of National Marketing Director with a UK company.
Alan got disillusioned with the surreal and precocious complexities of the corporate world and decided to ¨take time out¨ and returned to academia.
After Graduating in philosophy with sociology, he married Mirian, after a year in the UK, they moved to Brazil (of course, Mirian is Brazilian).
Alan and Mirian opened an English Language School, and in their spare time started to teach English on a voluntary basis to poor Brazilian children and adults..
Alan then got involved in setting up projects for disadvantaged children and communities, culminating in two coordination roles.
Alan and Mirian then decided to go it alone, as it were, and went about setting-up volunteerbrazil. And in doing so, have guaranteed that almost all of the program fees find their way into the target, Brazilian economy.
Mirian is Co- Founder and Executive Director
Mirian ensures that all of our projects adhere to our objective mission of promoting a positive impact on the communities which they serve.
I asked her what her objectives are, she said:
¨We want our volunteers to have an unique experience of participating actively on the development of the persons and communities tended, objectively leading towards the construct of a fairer world for all¨.
Mirian`s Biography: Mirian spent a year in California on an exchange program. That experience ¨whetted her appetite¨ for travel and other cultural experiences.
After Graduating in languages and linguistics she went on to study law and sociology at the Sorbonne in Paris. She returned to Europe later in life, to marry, and lived in the United Kingdom for a year.
In 1995 ,Mirian represented Brazil at the Womens`s World Conference in beijing, China, in addition to being President of The Womens World Bank (Pernambuco) in the early 90`s.
In the late 80`s Mirian acted as consultant and adviser to the Governor of Pernambuco, advising on relationships, social organisation, administrative reform and civil rights.
Mirian`s other positions and experience include:
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Councillor for the President of the Federal Republic of Brazil on The National Council of Women`s Rights
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Successfully nominated for the position of Judge of the second instant
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Consultant to Congress for an investigation of violence against women
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Foundation member of the Brazil/France Chamber of Commerce
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Director of ¨Special Projects¨ With local government
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Consultant to The Brazilian Federation of Industries
 
Vanessa and Cynara
Vanessa heads up our volunteer and accommodation coordination team. We ensure that we are available to deal with any problems which you may have.
Cynara leads our project coordination team and is ultimately responsible for both our volunteers and projects impact evaluation. Cynara has recently taken on the additional role of Brazil travel program manager and is now also responsible for our adventure and travel programs.
contact us:
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