THE ECOLOGICAL SCHOOL


What is it all about?

The Ecological School of TMF works with the education of children – it is complementary education. At the present moment 200 children in need, between the age of 3 to 13, attend the school regulary. The pedagogical work is based on nature teachings. This unique methodology integrates the personal development of the abilities and talents of each child, as well as self-knowledge and amplification of the spiritual consciousness. Our school includs educative actions for municipal/public schools of the valley Itamboat? in Simoes Filho as well as for schools and social organisations of the metropolitan area of Salvador. The Ecological School also makes efforts to build connections to local politicians.

The playground, the lake, the close contact to nature, the open, warm and friendly atmosphere of Terra Mirim, all this makes the school an important variation to the usual environment of the children, which is often influenced by alcoholism, drugs, prostitution and violence. The Ecological School is an island of peace, a place where the children can dream and some of those dreams can come true.


Regular activities

We give the children space and time for conversations about the topics of everyday life and about their experiences with plants and animals. There are lessons in oral and written expression, modern dances and dances of peace as well as theatre, capoeira, soccer and integrative ecology. There are also courses of basic informatics, painting, drawing, walks in the woods to get to know the local plants and animals, cultural excursions and lessons in first aid. Besides that the teachers of our school participate continuously in methodology improvement programs. We also offer days of exchange with private and public schools.


With the families

Every half a year there is a meeting with the parents as well as a regularly meeting group of mothers and fathers who help volunteerily. In May the special event for mothers and in August the event for fathers take place. During the year the teachers visit the families in their homes and TMF offers self-help activities. To the big cultural events of TMF, such as the anniversary, Ecoart and Christmas, always the whole familiy is invited and welcome to participate.


The network

TMF is part of a collaboration network with 10 public schools of 3 districts and contributes to the instruction of educative coordinators and teachers of public schools. It participates as counselor in the Council of Children´s and Youngster´s Rights and the Council of Social Assistance as well as collaborates with the Forum of Children´s and Youngster´s Rights of Simões Filho.


Main goals of 2008

We want to:

strengthen the artistic and athletic activities
increase the work with the families
enlarge the area for informatics lessons
find new financial partners
improve the experience exchange between existing and new partners
spread the knowledge of the school
improve the infrastructure


How to collaborate

As the collaboration with the municipality of Simoes Filho cover only a small part of our expenses, the help that we receive from private persons in form of donations is of significant value. Regular donations for the general expenses of the school, like food and pedagogical material, are a great help for us. We, and especially the children, are always happy about any support to our school, among others, also used books, teddybears and toys.
If you wish to help, you can contact us via e-mail educar@terramirim.org.br

In 2003 the association Terra Mirim Deutschland was founded by a group of friends in Germany, who help to collect donations and arrange sponsorships for the school. If you want to help in Germany, you can contact via e-mail schamanisa@web.de