Pernambucano (what you call someone who was born in PE, Brazil) and passionate about administration. In 2019, Gabriel da Silva left his hometown to study at Minerva Schools in California. The realization of his dream was only possible thanks to the grant provided by BRASA.

Participating in a selection process is never easy. For the student, the biggest difficulty "is the 'impostor syndrome', where you ask yourself: Do I really deserve all of this?". The young man pointed out that the difference in the BRASA process was exactly the fact that the interviewees did not make him question his potential.

 “For me, being chosen was confirmation that BRASA believes in my potential to not only have had the opportunity to go further than the people in my community had, but to bring it back and create greater opportunities for other people.”

Upon returning to Brazil, Gabriel brought with him a purpose: “I really wanted people to have this opportunity that I had to get to know other cultures and to know that it is possible to study abroad”. It was then that he started teaching English classes in his community, with affordable prices for everyone. "I believe that English opens a lot of doors that we can't even imagine," he pointed out.

It was with this same objective of changing the world through bilingual education that The Michaelis Foundation, BRASA and Melhoramentos publishing company teamed up. Together, the organizations will donate 170 Michaelis dictionaries to 20 educational institutions, in addition to promoting the BRASA initiative that grants financial aids for college students to study abroad. "We want to show this new generation that dreams can come true, if you have the courage to pursue them," said the foundation's director, Jefferson Michaelis.

To become a BRASA fellow, visit: https://www.bolsas.gobrasa.org/

- Luma Keily
​
MFGE International Correspondent (http://www.michaelisfoundation.org/)

​Once upon a time, there was a teddy bear named Henry. Unlike any traditional plush friend, Henry dreams of becoming an astronaut and touching the stars. One night, when he closes his eyes and falls asleep, Henry dreams. A rocket ship takes him to an imaginary world full of wonder where planets can talk. Henry lands on the moon and travels to all the planets in our solar system. It's the start of his journey and his dream of becoming an astronaut.   
 
The book was created by Jonna Ocampo, and it's way more than a children's bedtime story. Henry, the astronaut, represents the dream of many youngsters worldwide wanting to explore the mysteries of the universe. To show these countless dreamers that the stars are not that far away, on September 2nd, Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket will gain a new member: Henry the bear! The once upon a time children's story is no longer a dream. Tomorrow, Henry becomes an Astronaut.  
 
The book will be a part of Firefly Aerospace's inaugural mission set for September 2nd at 6 p.m. PST. In collaboration with the Michaelis Foundation for Global Education, signed and personalized books will be distributed to 30 Science Days participants at its next event in 2022 as a reminder that anyone can reach for the stars (even a teddy bear!). 
 
"In 1969, Neil Armstrong left his footprints on the moon, showing that sky was never the limit for mankind. Our goal is to take his example and show to the next generation that they too can leave their mark in space" – Jefferson Michaelis. 
 
To learn more about the Michaelis Foundation and its activities, including the international collaboration with Jonna Ocampo of CD-SEAS Mission Microgravity, please visit: http://www.michaelisfoundation.org/
Watch the rocket launch and chat along at https://www.youtube.com/everydayastronaut/live
 
- Luma Keily
MFGE International Correspondent