Light in the Favela's

Today was my first experience of going through a favela, not just seeing it or driving through a tiny bit, but actually walking through the centre of it. For my practical in the afternoons I am with the Rock House, which is a community centre just on the outskirts of this favela, YWAM Belo Horizonte set it up about two years ago and has already made a massive impact in the lives of people in the slum...

There are crumbling buildings everywhere - some half made but people living in them. There is rubbish everywhere, with some rough roads to walk on.
Favelas are actually illegal - they are started by people 'invading' land and building on it, and eventually a whole community is there...the government cannot do anything to stop this and fully aware that people need somewhere to live, so they actually help the communities in the favela by building them proper roads and now housing (like our council flats) so they can re-structure the favela with proper roads (so the police have been access!) and better sanitation etc.

The favela we were in is divided into two the top and bottom, with rival gangs at each end. At the moment they actually have a peace treaty between them, last week all the 'Drug Lords' sat down together and had a talk about keeping peace in the favela, and so far there have been no more deaths and the favela is actually quite peaceful.

When walking through the favela we saw lots of boys sat in random places shouting to each other - I found out that they are communicating with each other were the drugs are going to keep track of them for the main drug people and also looking out for the police. Every half an hour they get 'paid' with crack! It was shocking, thats what these people do all day everyday.

However there are some good things in the favela...as part of the work in the Rock House they visit the parents/family members of the children they work with in the community centre. We went to visit one lady, who told us her life story....she owned her own shop, but she had worked for years selling yoghurt, so she could pay for it all, she just showed real determination and discipline to continue to strive for her dream when it seemed impossible - imagine selling yoghurt for years to save up for your house?! In her shop there is a little stand full of odd bits to buy, this her sons section, as they wanted to earn some money - so she has helped them develop a little shop...as in their community it is just SO easy to make quick money either my drugs (for the boys) and prostitution for the girls. She helped out with the children's work in her local church. Her husband who use to be a massive drug Lord, is now a converted Christian, through years of her prayers, as she refused to date him until he stopped drugs and change his ways...She is just such an example of a good parent, helping her children be the best they can be in a community that is not great. She was so positive and encouraging. She just represented determination for me, and that if you want to change your life, you can....amazing women!