Brazil's Pantanal:
Kids Make Drawings of Their Favorite Birds, Animals and Wildlife

Photography by David Muenker — Text by Rose Muenker

Cattle ranches operate amid the Pantanal's abundant birds and wildlife. Baia das Pedras Fazenda Hotel, along with many other ranches, has expanded its century-old ranching business to include ecotours for travelers.

While staying there, we met with children who attend the on-site boarding school. Since there are no public schools in the region, the current owner took the initiative to set up the school. The only support provided by the state is books and salaries for two certified teachers.

The kids come from ranches within a 100-mile radius. They attend the boarding school from April to November, with a 20-day break in July. During the cheia, or rainy season when wetland waters rise up to 15 feet, they stay at home.

The teachers do far more than teach reading, writing and math. They accompany the children throughout the day, from making sure they brush their teeth and take their baths to teaching them how to wash their clothes.