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Rio Olympics: view from the favelas – 'I've seen six people infected with Zika. I am one of them' Rio Olympics: view from the favelas – 'I've seen six people infected with Zika. I am one of them'
(5 months later)
5 December5 December
There is growing concern about the Zika virus in the news. It seems to hit favelas harder than other communities. In Maré, I’ve seen at least six people who have been infected. I am one of them. My personal experience highlighted how budget cuts are hurting medical care. When we get sick, doctors at public hospitals often will not see us because they are not being paid their salaries. And when they prescribe medicines, we are left to pay for them.There is growing concern about the Zika virus in the news. It seems to hit favelas harder than other communities. In Maré, I’ve seen at least six people who have been infected. I am one of them. My personal experience highlighted how budget cuts are hurting medical care. When we get sick, doctors at public hospitals often will not see us because they are not being paid their salaries. And when they prescribe medicines, we are left to pay for them.
This was the case when I had Zika. I had to buy my own medicine because it was not available at the public pharmacy. There was no hospital treatment. I just had to go home and wait until I got better. It’s worrying. The reports say it can cause problems in foetuses, but we don’t have enough information about it. I don’t plan to get pregnant any time soon but if I do one day then I will worry whether my baby will be born healthy.This was the case when I had Zika. I had to buy my own medicine because it was not available at the public pharmacy. There was no hospital treatment. I just had to go home and wait until I got better. It’s worrying. The reports say it can cause problems in foetuses, but we don’t have enough information about it. I don’t plan to get pregnant any time soon but if I do one day then I will worry whether my baby will be born healthy.
Related: Rio Olympics: view from the favelas – 'We need the freedom to be ourselves'
25 December25 December
I am spending Christmas and the new year in my family’s old home in Rio Grande do Norte. It’s a state in the north-east of Brazil, the region where most Maré residents migrated from. Being here reminds me of the drastic change my parents had to adjust to when they made the move from the farm to the favela. Life is very tranquil – conversations on the porch, no computer or mobile phone. Everything is much simpler. But it can be tough. My grandmother has struggled without money to raise 16 children alongside my grandfather, and is now fighting cancer. Somehow, she manages to smile.I am spending Christmas and the new year in my family’s old home in Rio Grande do Norte. It’s a state in the north-east of Brazil, the region where most Maré residents migrated from. Being here reminds me of the drastic change my parents had to adjust to when they made the move from the farm to the favela. Life is very tranquil – conversations on the porch, no computer or mobile phone. Everything is much simpler. But it can be tough. My grandmother has struggled without money to raise 16 children alongside my grandfather, and is now fighting cancer. Somehow, she manages to smile.
7 January7 January
After a quiet and peaceful new year in the north-east, I return to Maré and am woken up at dawn by the sound of shooting.After a quiet and peaceful new year in the north-east, I return to Maré and am woken up at dawn by the sound of shooting.
8 January8 January
The first killing of the year in our community. Fifty-one-year-old José Carlos Santos was killed during a robbery on bus 483, as it passed the Vila do João favela, which is part of the Maré complex. Armed robberies are common at bus stops and overpasses near the entrance of favelas. That is exactly where the patrol cars of the military police are usually parked, but they do nothing. It seems their only role is to look reassuring on television ahead of the Olympics. Our community has little confidence in uniforms.The first killing of the year in our community. Fifty-one-year-old José Carlos Santos was killed during a robbery on bus 483, as it passed the Vila do João favela, which is part of the Maré complex. Armed robberies are common at bus stops and overpasses near the entrance of favelas. That is exactly where the patrol cars of the military police are usually parked, but they do nothing. It seems their only role is to look reassuring on television ahead of the Olympics. Our community has little confidence in uniforms.
19 January19 January
The construction of the Factory of Tomorrow School – a municipal educational project – had muddied the surrounding streets, making it difficult to cross on foot. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen such a large structure being built, and authorities investing both time and money in our children. The promises came only after they announced the World Cup and Olympic mega events. Before that, it wasn’t important that we had so few schools. It will be good to have more schools here in Maré – but it’s frustrating that our demands are not met without political motivations.The construction of the Factory of Tomorrow School – a municipal educational project – had muddied the surrounding streets, making it difficult to cross on foot. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen such a large structure being built, and authorities investing both time and money in our children. The promises came only after they announced the World Cup and Olympic mega events. Before that, it wasn’t important that we had so few schools. It will be good to have more schools here in Maré – but it’s frustrating that our demands are not met without political motivations.
23 January23 January
The community is full of energy today as we celebrated summer in Maré with a pre-carnival street party. Our goal is to have this event recognised as one of the city’s “blocos” or neighbourhood parades. Everyone met at the Lona Cultural, a hub for music and other events, in the heat of the afternoon and then we sweatily partied our way towards the Pontilhão at night. This is an area that was taken over by the military but today we occupied it with dancing and festivity. The drummers kept up a strong rhythm, people painted their faces, mothers in brightly coloured clothes brought their young children along. We will have other blocos at the Pontilhão. The police put their armoured cars there, but we bring baile funk and go to play at the nearby amusement parks and skating rinks. I think it’s important to occupy these areas as a form of resistance.The community is full of energy today as we celebrated summer in Maré with a pre-carnival street party. Our goal is to have this event recognised as one of the city’s “blocos” or neighbourhood parades. Everyone met at the Lona Cultural, a hub for music and other events, in the heat of the afternoon and then we sweatily partied our way towards the Pontilhão at night. This is an area that was taken over by the military but today we occupied it with dancing and festivity. The drummers kept up a strong rhythm, people painted their faces, mothers in brightly coloured clothes brought their young children along. We will have other blocos at the Pontilhão. The police put their armoured cars there, but we bring baile funk and go to play at the nearby amusement parks and skating rinks. I think it’s important to occupy these areas as a form of resistance.
28 January28 January
The Centre for Studies and Solidarity Actions of Maré (CEASM) has launched an online campaign to gather funding for social projects. CEASM has already created great opportunities for local people. My sister studied for her college entrance exam there and it is where I got my first taste of community journalism. This latest initiative is impressive. Online financial support is new for those working in favelas and one of the few ways to sustain social projects in a difficult economic climate. The campaign is called “We are all CEASM” (borrowing its name from the Charlie Hebdo solidarity movement).The Centre for Studies and Solidarity Actions of Maré (CEASM) has launched an online campaign to gather funding for social projects. CEASM has already created great opportunities for local people. My sister studied for her college entrance exam there and it is where I got my first taste of community journalism. This latest initiative is impressive. Online financial support is new for those working in favelas and one of the few ways to sustain social projects in a difficult economic climate. The campaign is called “We are all CEASM” (borrowing its name from the Charlie Hebdo solidarity movement).
1 February1 February
Education authorities announced today which children will get places in the new system of early learning centres. Families in Maré and other favela communities are clearly at a disadvantage because those who applied via the municipal website before the end of January were guaranteed a place, but those without a computer – which includes many favela residents – are not so lucky. The system itself is good. It is well structured, the facilities are decent and there is even space for babies. Best of all it is full-time so that working parents can focus on their careers. But getting in is tricky without a computer.Education authorities announced today which children will get places in the new system of early learning centres. Families in Maré and other favela communities are clearly at a disadvantage because those who applied via the municipal website before the end of January were guaranteed a place, but those without a computer – which includes many favela residents – are not so lucky. The system itself is good. It is well structured, the facilities are decent and there is even space for babies. Best of all it is full-time so that working parents can focus on their careers. But getting in is tricky without a computer.
3 February3 February
I was hoping for a warm and peaceful start to carnival, but it began with a noisy 6am police operation. For several days in a row now, we have woken to the sound of police helicopters buzzing overhead.I was hoping for a warm and peaceful start to carnival, but it began with a noisy 6am police operation. For several days in a row now, we have woken to the sound of police helicopters buzzing overhead.
Related: Rio Olympics: view from the favelas – 'The Games have made things worse' | Thaís Cavalcante
13 February13 February
It has been a year since a Maré resident called Vitor Santiago was shot by the military as he was travelling with friends in a minibus. His leg had to be amputated but so far he has received no government assistance. He used to play a lot of football. Now he is an example of police failure. There is little hope of protection for those who want to get on with their lives, their work, their family and to be happy in the place where they were born.It has been a year since a Maré resident called Vitor Santiago was shot by the military as he was travelling with friends in a minibus. His leg had to be amputated but so far he has received no government assistance. He used to play a lot of football. Now he is an example of police failure. There is little hope of protection for those who want to get on with their lives, their work, their family and to be happy in the place where they were born.
22 February22 February
Today, I had one of the worst experiences I can remember. After hearing that a police action was taking place, I posted my concerns on twitter (@tcavalcantes) before going to college in the morning. But on the way, I almost became caught up in the fighting. I took shelter behind a car and covered my ears with my hands. The gunfire was very loud. So was my crying. I dropped my food on the ground and went to college in a state of shock. When I returned home, the car windows were broken. There were empty rounds of ammunition on the floor. The TV news reported that a 19-year-old resident, Igor Silva, 19, was fatally shot in the chest by an officer from the Core special police unit. He worked at a local pharmacy, but the police insisted he was a criminal. A resident filmed what happened from the window of her home. This was a day that made me rethink my life.Today, I had one of the worst experiences I can remember. After hearing that a police action was taking place, I posted my concerns on twitter (@tcavalcantes) before going to college in the morning. But on the way, I almost became caught up in the fighting. I took shelter behind a car and covered my ears with my hands. The gunfire was very loud. So was my crying. I dropped my food on the ground and went to college in a state of shock. When I returned home, the car windows were broken. There were empty rounds of ammunition on the floor. The TV news reported that a 19-year-old resident, Igor Silva, 19, was fatally shot in the chest by an officer from the Core special police unit. He worked at a local pharmacy, but the police insisted he was a criminal. A resident filmed what happened from the window of her home. This was a day that made me rethink my life.
29 February29 February
The Rio Metro begins an exhibition called Favela Memories at its stations today. I took part by interviewing the residents of several favelas, including Morro do Borel, Mangueira and Salgueiro. It’s amazing how every testimony saves a local memory. This brings me hope. I help to promote the event at the stations and try to show a little of what I saw of each reality.The Rio Metro begins an exhibition called Favela Memories at its stations today. I took part by interviewing the residents of several favelas, including Morro do Borel, Mangueira and Salgueiro. It’s amazing how every testimony saves a local memory. This brings me hope. I help to promote the event at the stations and try to show a little of what I saw of each reality.