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| The children at Espaco Criança Esperança in the after school preschool program. |
Today we had the opportunity to tour the favelas and NGO,"Espaco Criança Esperança," in Rio de Janeiro. We will be spending three days with this organization while our stay in this city. Espaco Criança Esperança is an organization funded by the government and private donors. It is to assist children, youngsters, and adults living in the favelas. The favelas are slum neighborhoods in Brazil. These living sites are in contrast with the modern constructions in other parts of Rio. For instance, where we are staing in Ipanema. There are many favelas in Brazil, and what we had not yet realized is that they were just an elevator ride away.
When we approached the elevator station I was not aware that just on the other side of the door was a neighborhood that was the complete opposite of what we had seen so far. As we walked through the favela we were allowed to take pictures of the neighborhood and of the people. I couldn’t help but wonder what I would feel like if throughout the year multiple groups of people would come tour the neighborhood in which I live taking pictures of my home, family, and me. The feeling I felt while walking on the tour was ineffable. I felt powerless. Here we were taking a tour like many other people, knowing that there is not much we can do to help their situation. However, Espaco Criança Esperança has given hope to the residents of the favelas in Rio. Espaco Criança Esperança provides children, teenagers, and adults the resources necessary to better themselves and live a better life.
When we approached the elevator station I was not aware that just on the other side of the door was a neighborhood that was the complete opposite of what we had seen so far. As we walked through the favela we were allowed to take pictures of the neighborhood and of the people. I couldn’t help but wonder what I would feel like if throughout the year multiple groups of people would come tour the neighborhood in which I live taking pictures of my home, family, and me. The feeling I felt while walking on the tour was ineffable. I felt powerless. Here we were taking a tour like many other people, knowing that there is not much we can do to help their situation. However, Espaco Criança Esperança has given hope to the residents of the favelas in Rio. Espaco Criança Esperança provides children, teenagers, and adults the resources necessary to better themselves and live a better life.
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| A favela in Rio. |
The center uses teaching methods that incorporates fun while learning. They offer after school programs to motivate and improve their reading, computer, math, and other skills. The center has two computer labs for teenagers and children where they have free access to the internet. They have recreational activities: indoor soccer, basketball, and swimming. Espaco Criança Esperança is an example that should be followed by all. I asked our tour guide if there were other centers like this one, she replied, "no." Her answer saddened me, but at the same time I felt optimistic that at least centers like these do exist in Brazil.
You mentioned that you wondered how the people of the favela must feel when visitors come into the area. I have been thinking a lot about the “favela tours” that bring tourists on buses to take pictures of the people on the streets, to even stay overnight, etc. In this case, I imagine that the residents must feel both patronized and offended, and I don’t blame them. While it is important to raise awareness of the favelas and of the plight of the poor, I am disgusted by these “favela tours” for tourists. Here is my reason why:
ReplyDeleteThe tours that come into the area, with tourists snapping inappropriate photos and otherwise invading upon the residents’ daily lives in extreme poverty, is dehumanizing. Essentially, it is little more than treating the residents of the favela as just another zoo exhibit. The tourists look at the “exhibit” through a window—literally and/or figuratively—taking their pictures of those “on the other side,” then leave without any real interaction, without any depth of understanding. There is a big difference between coming to the favelas to learn and support, as we have, and coming merely to peer in upon the lives of others.
Don’t those tourists wonder the same thoughts that you and I have just now voiced…? I want to ask those tourists how they would feel, if people were constantly photographing them on their way to the market, or when talking with friends, or when sitting outside their houses…pitying them, looking down their noses at them, showing their picture to others so that they may pity them as well…? And the tours that even boast an overnight stay in the favelas…that sort of commercialism virtually glorifies poverty, turning a terrible condition of the human existence into a tourist attraction, a vacation for the wealthy.
One question I still have is whether the residents of the favelas even receive any sort of monetary benefit from these tours. If they don’t, then the tours are taking 100% advantage of their poverty as a way to make profits for others. That would be salt to the wound and an absolute disgrace. If anyone knows any more about this aspect of the favela tours, definitely feel free to respond with your insight!
This was the first time we had visited a favala. One thing that stood out was the interplay between the favala and the surrounding community. I spoke to the coordinator of the job training program. Her name was Gracelynn. She said the majority of the jobs from this program were jors related to the tourism of Ipanema Beech. Types of jobs included waitress, bartender, and front desk help. The favela had become a source of labor for Ipanem and Ipanema had become a source of livelihood for the favela.
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