Preparation for University Exams

To add to existing projects, here is one more. I had some school supplies that were better for people preparing for university so we gave to Marcos' group.

In favela communities the public education is so poor that its very rare that young people go on to university. When you grow up in a favela, normally most youth continue on in the path of their parents. They get access only to low skilled low paying jobs mostly in the service industry. The children follow this path because work or being able to bring in more money to the household has more value than studying which costs money.

In my life I have only met about 15 people that I know that have gone to University. This is sad because I know that many children aspire or have dreams to be in a profession, but its one that requires advanced education. Its very difficult when the public school system has children in school only 4 hours a day. How can a child learn anything in 4 hours? Private school for the middle and upper classes prepare their children and the majority go onto university.

But there are groups of people in the favela that are trying to change this. I met Marcos Barros years ago. He had the opportunity, through receiving a scholarship, to go to university at PUC, a private university in Gavea. He studied Journalism and graduated. But now he also gives back as a teacher in this project called Prevestibular Communitario da Rocinha.

This program prepares residents of the favela to take the vestibular or entrance exams into university. The best universities in Rio are the public ones but you must take very difficult exams to get in. The public school system is not enough so these volunteers like Marcos have these pre exams classes to prepare the students to pass these exams.

 Marcos speaking to potential students about PVCR and its functions.

The Pre or PVCR as it is known was formed by a group of volunteers who use education as a weapon to make a difference in Rocinha. Participants are graduates, undergraduates or alumni of universities and are mostly from Rocinha. This is the only such project in a favela that helps those who want to attend college. This program is helping to change the profile of residents from the favela.

Unlike private pre-university, the PVCR has the task of forming critical subjects to create a collective consciousness to be reflected in the favela as a whole. This functions as a collective where everyone involved and empowered to prose ideas and decisions are made democratically. Social networks are used for communication between the group and the focus of the students are on the ENEM (a university entrance exam) and contact with the public universities.

The PVCR has no funding or external support. A space is donated by Communication Community Movement or TV Tagarela, which is owned and operated by favela residents. Students pay a monthly fee of 25 reais a month which covers the costs of photo copies used in class and maintenance of the space.

The PVCR is in much need of a computer (even if its used) that functions just to use internet as a teaching tool. The students only use notebooks and pens in class.

To see their website check here: http://pvcr.org.br/novo/

Homeless Animals in Rocinha

I have always had a soft heart for critters especially cats and dogs. In Rocinha there is a problem with many people who refuse to castrate or fix their animals. You can see many homeless animals here. It makes me sad because I wish I could save them all, but this is impossible as long as people don't fix their pets.

Last year I met Cristiano who lives on Rua 2 (Street 2) and read his facebook page about how he is trying to help dogs and cats in Rocinha. We have helped when we could by helping with the purchases of transport carriers that he uses to bring dogs and cats to the vet.

Its nice to receive help from other sources as well. Rachel from the Vancouver, Canada came on a tour but also was interested in the welfare of the animals in Rocinha. I set up a meeting between her and Cristiano so that she can see his project in action. So Rachel, Cristiano and Carlos went off to see the place where Cristiano lives.

 Cristiano lives in this house. He, his mother and father live on the first floor.

 This is the entrance to their home. Around the corner from the front door is an entryway to access the second floor where the animals reside.

 This is the entry way to access where the animals live.

 This is the first floor hallway that Cristiano uses to store supplies for animals.

Animal transport carriers.

 This area is fenced off. Its where he keeps the cats. He said that the fence broke. And some of the cats escaped, but as you see below, one kitty decided to stay.

This photo below is the door that enters the second floor where aproximately 35 dogs are kept in 4 rooms that are about 9X9 feet squared. Cristiano does what he can with the resources he has access to but he still want to improve the living conditions for these animals.

As you can see the conditions are not very good for these animals. Cristiano has access to donations of food for the animals, free castration provided by a local vet and a connection outside to a lady that can help to find people to adopt these animals. What Cristiano needs is money to reconstruct and upgrade the space. He wants to put tiling down on the floor and a drainage system so he can easily keep his spaces clean and this will improve the over all health of the dogs and cats.

Rachel was kind enough to donate 300 reais to Cristiano's project. He is also part of a political group organizing on behalf of rights for animals. Cristiano has no job but this is his life calling as he says. His parents support his work.

If you are interested in contributing in some way, we are going to set up a PayPal account for Cristiano's Project.

If you need other information please contact us at: visitrocinha@gmail.com

ASPA Creche in Rocinha

In the last three weeks I have been organizing, separating and distributing donations to various school and daycares in Rocinha. During the months of December until the end of February we were very busy with tours so I had very little time to distribute the donations. Now things have calmed down and we are entering into a slow period. For the last 2 years we have been donating materials to the Castelinho Creche in Atalho, a sub-neighborhood higher up the hill in Rocinha. Ms. Leidy Martins is our contact at Castelinho and she mentioned that Creche ASPA in Boiadeiro could use some help.

I wanted to check out ASPA as its less than 5 minutes walk from my house. Ms. Martins gave me the contact person. The director is Carla Mariana and she works from 7am until 11:30am Monday-Friday as a volunteer and then after goes off to a regular paying job. She is a busy woman but I was able to meet with her.

We had a couple come on a tour with us a couple of weeks ago and they gave me 200 reais to be spent on supplies for a creche that needed help. After what Ms. Martins had told me, I decided to spend the money on supplies for ASPA. I want to thank the Kelly Family from Chicago, USA for their kind donation. The creche will put these materials to good use.

When I arrived at the Creche I was received by Carla the director and her Coordinator Suely. They gave me a tour of the creche. The first thing I noticed is it was very well taken care of. The building looked in good condition and it was clean. There were about 12-15 different rooms with different ages of children all being supervised by an adult. I had arrived when most of the children were napping.  Each of these rooms had their own bathroom facilities.

***Before taking any photos of ASPA facilities, I asked permission. Many of the workers did not want to be in photos and I explained to Carla and Suely beforehand that the story I wanted to write was to promote the creche and the importance of families having access to places like ASPA to care for their children.

Nap time for the children. I arrived about 11:15am and these two different rooms had children resting. The photo above this one is the room for the 2 year olds and this one directly above is the room for the 4 year olds.

Some of the children were eating their lunches all provided by a team of three ladies who cook for about 180 children. The kids get two meals a day and two snacks.

This is the kitchen are where the meals are prepared. Again, the kitchen was very clean. To the right of the kitchen was a pantry with foodstuffs for everyday meals.

This pantry is stocked by the donations of kind people. The creche itself has minimum support. Some families if the can pay, contribute 85 reais a month for the caring of the children. The city government gives a little but not much.

This is a small play area for the children. All the toys in the photo are donations.

When I went to the creche it was about 35 degrees outside. Its hot. There are fans in the daycare but most children are wearing just underwear, which you wouldn't see in a North American type daycare. It was explained to me that in tropical climate, it is humid and can be uncomfortable for the children. The children appeared to be happy and they were all clean. The photo above it a outdoor shower/bathing area surrounded by tall walls to ensure privacy. Upon entering the building, there is a big green gate and other security precautions in place to ensure safety of the children.

The creche has a staff of 30 workers and 5 volunteers who are there Monday-Friday from 7:30am until 4:30pm.

History of ASPA Creche

ASPA (Action Social Father Anchieta) was founded in 1963 by father Jesuit Paulo Machado Barbosa, a professor at PUC, a Catholic University in Gavea together with some other professors and residents of Gavea. Its one of the oldest community run institutions in Rocinha and its mission is to promote human consciousness and citizenship to better the quality of life through global education.

It was ASPA that was instrumental in setting up groups of workers from the favela to build the sewer systems and water distribution to the homes at the bottom of the favela. In the original shack that was first constructed, existed the church called Nossa Senhora Aparecida, was also the first school in Rocinha. There, the women would feed the workers who were building this water distribution project.

The creche ASPA evolved into project to promote social, cultural and educational benefits to the residents of Rocinha. The beginning started off as mothers creating outlets where others could take care of their children so they could go off to work. They did this because they had no other option to get care for their children. With time, the "creche" grew and they started to get things organized.

In order to create a better life for their families, its normal that both parents work. The children pass the full day in the creche and follow a routine of activities that are planned in meetings by qualified professionals.

Some of the activities work in partnership with teachers of music, dance, storytellers, occupational therapy that attend to children with special needs, and a psychologist who can give support to the educators. All of the educators are volunteers.

The daycare attends to 179 children from the ages to 6 months until 4 years old. They have been passing through some difficulty and need help to keep their doors open. The government wants to cut funding to over 100 community daycares in Rio.

This report just came out on March 31st. The report states that due to lack of city funds that theres a possibility that about 100 daycares run the risk of closing or eliminating spaces in these facilities. Currently, ASPA receives a little money from the city government to help pay salaries and the food pantry is supported by donations.

In talking with Carla and Suely, they both very open to the idea of receiving volunteers to help with the children. If while you are visiting on a tour would like to see the daycare, please let me know in advance so I can contact Carla. Please contact me if you are interested in helping out in any way! Thank you! contact: visitrocinha@gmail.com

Businesses in Rocinha: Diego Rossi Tattoo Studio

Yesterday I first met Diego Rossi when Andrew had his tattoo work being done. I was really impressed by Diego. As someone who is a tattoo addict, I am very critical of people who call themselves tattoo artists. So, I went back today to get more information from Diego at his studio called "Diego Rossi Tattoo Studio"

As from the photo above, many would be shocked as they would think from the outside that this tattoo shop would be a dump. Life in favelas can be deceiving. Many houses and businesses from the outside look in very poor conditions, but when you enter, its a different world.

When I enter any tattoo studio, the first thing I do is look around at the environment. What is the set up, where are the materials the artist uses. Are the needles in sterilized packaging? Is the place organized? And most important, Is the place clean? Are hygeine standards being followed?

As soon as I walked in I was impressed. I told Andrew yesterday that while he was getting his work done that, the place is very clean. The floor, no dirt, the desk immaculate. The white foldable table was covered in plastic and clean disposable towels were being used. There is a small sink and toilet area off behind a wall. The front sliding door entrance has tinted windows to help block out the sun and reduce heat. The studio has a fully functioning quiet air conditioning system and WiFi for those who need to surf the internet. I mentioned these things because the place is not very big but Diego has enough space to move around his clients to do his work.  Some photos of his studio.

Diego Rossi in his new Tattoo studio with his certifications above on the wall.

I decided to get more information from Diego a 29 year old transplant from Espirito Santo and resident of Rocinha for only 4 years.

How did you find out about Rocinha?
- When I first came to Rio I lived in a favela that was run by militias, then moved to Bonsucesso. I had a friend who lived in Arpoador who worked as a moto taxi driver in Rocinha. He took me through Rocinha showing me the place. When I got to the top of Rocinha in Laboriaux, I was amazed at the view and how beautiful it was. So I came to move here.

Why did you move to Rocinha?
- This place, we have everything. I never seen a favela have so much. We have 3 banks here, any type of restaurant, good transportation with buses that go through here. So many things that other favelas don't have.

How did you get into Tattooing?
- I started off doing tattoos as a hobby in my house about 5 years ago. Many people liked my work and my reputation grew. I then got the opportunity to work in a tattoo studio called Pipoca Tattoo on Rua 4.

How did you come to be in this new location?
- It was time for me to start something on my own. I have only been here at this place since January.

What do you see for your future?
- I enjoy living in Rocinha. I want to develop my business and buy a house here. I have no plans to leave Rocinha.

What are your prices?
- Tattoos start at 50 reais and increase in price determined by time, details and size of the piece. I can do custom work as well. People are free to walk in for a consultation.

What are your hours?
- Monday through Friday 11:00am until 10:00pm
Saturday from 11:00am until 6:00pm

How can people contact you?
- They can send me a message through my facebook page, come to my studio for a consultation or they can call me.

If you are coming from the Gavea side of the hill, his studio is directly across the street from where some artists sell their works to tourists.

Photo by Diego Rossi with Andrew Ritchie of Birmingham, England.

The Favela Leaves Impressions

Its awesome when we meet visitors that are somehow impressed by our community. Its great when the visitor sees the favela but then wants to return to check out other things in Rocinha. We have had guests get hair cuts, have dental work done and get tattoos. Businesses in Rocinha rely on word of mouth and having a good reputation. People here talk and word travels fast.

Andrew Ritchie and his girl friend Tracey came on a tour and enjoyed the favela so much that they came back today. Tracey decided to stay at the bottom of the hill and do some shopping. Andrew decided to get a tattoo to mark his memory of the favela Rocinha.

Obi met him at the top of Rocinha at 2pm, and took him to Diego Rossi Tattoo Studio at Escadao near 99 an area high up the hill. Diego pre-designed a drawing of a favela that wraps around the forearm.

I wanted to learn more from Andrew about his impressions of Rocinha. He is from Birmingham England, born and raised. He is 55 years young and works as a Locomotive Engineer or a train operator. I always was fascinated and loved trains as a kid, and still do.

He said that he wanted to visit the favela to see all aspects of life in Rio, not just the rich neighborhoods. He said "You go up to the christ, you look all around the city and favelas are part of it." He felt very comfortable and was welcomed by the people in Rocinha in a good way. He didn't feel like an outsider. "People here are interested in me, as I am in them."

Andrew said he plans to return to get the rest of the favela colored in.

I asked him why a tattoo of a favela? He said that many of his tattoos represent different periods of his life and the favela impressed him so much. He feels that there is a misconception about the favelas. The outside media tends to talk only about the drug dealers. He says, the favela is a worthy place to visit, shop and even get a tattoo. Andrew says that he will return!

Diego Rossi tattoo artist and Andrew before saying good byes!

Andrew on a moto taxi going back to where he is staying, after getting his tattoo!

Businesses in Rocinha: Kitu Bolos e Tortas

I enjoy writing about Rocinha and educating people about our lives here. Mixed with other blog posts I want to start showcasing the different types of businesses residents have here.

We are organizing a party this weekend and I needed a cake for this special event. In Rocinha people are very connected to each other when it comes to the selling of goods and services. We help each other find the things we need through networking and Facebook is a great way to connect. Many people who have businesses here don't earn enough to have a professional website to be done. So, they use Facebook because they can set up a page for free.

I put up a post on a community web page looking for a person who could make us a cake for about 30 people. Within 5 minutes I had people contact me with names of people and businesses that make cakes. One send me her facebook page and details. I was impressed. We started communicating about what I wanted and set up a meeting. Also, the other shops I contacted were not open on Sunday. So picking this shop was ideal.

I arrived today in the shop of Da Kitu Bolas e Tortas at the top of Rua 1 in Rocinha. The address is Estrada da Gavea, 251, 2nd floor. Their telephone number is: 99648-5042

The entrance to Da Kitu Bolos e Tortas Bakery.

So, I enter and introduce myself and explain that I was online talking with somebody about ordering the cake. Kristina or "Kitu" as she is known asked me to sit down and she took my order for my cake. I paid her a deposit and on Sunday we will pick up the cake before our party.

 Kitu taking an order from a client in the reception area..

Kitu is a very proud mother of two children who are now grown adults. She has loved in Rocinha 49 years born and raised. She loves Rocinha and has no plans to leave. She enjoys her business which she says is growing. She employs 3 people at this time and wants to expand her business to give more opportunities for people in the favela.

The kitchen area. One of her employees washing out pans to make more cakes.

I saw these cakes, not yet frosted and had to take a photo. Looks & smells great!

Kitu's bakery makes, cakes, pies and cupcakes. If you want your cake to be pesonalized they can do this too. Cakes start at 65 reais up to 1000 reais. Price depends on size and work involved to create it.

This cake costs 500 reais but as you can see, a lot of preparation work goes into making a cake like this.

Kitu with one of her creations!

One thing I noticed right off from visiting the bakery was how clean everything is. The floors, countertops were spotless in the kitchen area and the reception area was clean too. This is very important to me when it comes to any kind of food service.

Below are photos of some of her work, Check out the Facebook link above to see more.

Minion cupcakes! :)