Lucia

Lucia is 67 years old and has lived in the favela for 65 years. She arrived with her father his 2 sisters and mother from Santa Teresa. When she arrived there were only about 15 houses in Vidigal  including the one of her father. There was just jungle full of snakes and alligators. There were no lights and no running water. The only food they would buy was pasta because a lot of the land was farm land and her father was able to plant all kinds of things such as peanuts, mangos, cachu and bananas. Of course over time people built up on this land and so much of it was destroyed but there are still some fruit trees left. Her father would kill pigs and chickens, not for sale but to share with everyone. As children they used to bring wet towels with them to the bottom of the hill to clean off their shoes at the bus stop in Leblon because Vidigal was just mud and earth.  There were no roads or trails as water always passed over where they had been and so it was just rock and mud Lucia explains how you would have to test the ground with your feet before you could step so you wouldn't slip.

Lucia loves to dance more than anyone else in the favela. She learnt to dance with her father when she was young. One night there were no lights and her passion for dance began by dancing alone with a little radio. Her father was strict when it came to boys and so she had to dance alone or not dance at all. But even now most men can’t keep up with her, she tires them out! Lucia always dances to the end of the party. Even now her favourite thing to do in Vidigal is to go out and dance. She goes out to forro and pagode parties 3 times every week on Friday Saturday and Sunday. Everything that troubles her leaves when she dances. If she is sick or hurt she can still dance.

Lucia is one of 17 children and there are still 12 living in Vidigal. She has more than 35 nieces and nephews and was married for 15 years. Lucia has had a barraca on Leblon beach, a small beach bar renting out chairs and umbrellas and selling drinks for 28 years.  She loves her work because she is free to talk to people and do as she pleases.

Lucia says she has always felt good about Vidigal and it is one of the best places to live in the world. She would like it to become a bit more commercial but knows it has a lot of potential. She feels totally satisfied, always safe and respected. She says it is only unsafe when you make trouble for other people. Lucia loves her unique view overlooking the ocean with the jungle at her side. Sometimes she even sleeps up on her roof. There are even little monkeys which come to eat out of her hand.

The view from Lucia's roof top.

Helena

When I first noticed the Brecho (vintage shop) in Vidigal I was astonished. It was like being in Brick Lane in London walking into a quirky jumble of collectables. A favela vintage shop is something I never thought that I would see. Helena the owner of the shop is someone despite not knowing me at all has always greeted me with great enthusiasm, she is a walking advert for the welcoming nature of people living here in the favela.

Helena is 50 years old and has always lived in Vidigal she explains how different it was and how much it has changed. She has 2 children aged 16 and 25 and is a proud grandmother. She has had many jobs in her life including waxing, hairdressing and manicures. Her clients would give her things and so she started her vintage shop in her living room she says “it just grew from there.” Now Helena has had her shop for 5 years. It used to be her father’s mechanic shop. Everyone knew her father as she says he was the best mechanic.

Helena sells all sorts of things from clothes to tables and sewing machines. The shop is a haven of old nik naks and clothes. She loves her job and does it with love. She even loves going on the bus to collect things to sell.  Lots of the items in the shop are given by clients but she also buys things to sell on.  Helena often rents out clothes to the theatre for performances and many foreigners come to see her shop to take pictures or buy things but they are never sold things at a higher price. Helena treats all her customers the same and there are a lot of bargains to be had!

The community is very important to Helena she explains there is always someone to help you. Everyone helps everyone. If you were to disappear there would always be people to look for you because anyone who lives here is already a part of the community. It is a warm place where the people are open to new people. Anyone from anywhere can come to Vidigal and in Helena’s words be “hugged”. She would love to see more people invest into the favela to produce more positive things such as dance classes, music classes and other positive projects.



Helena looking through her vinyl collection.

Helena's living room.

Helena loves to make unusual decorations for the shop out of things she finds.

O Rappa - Minha Alma ( A Paz Que Eu Não Quero )

This video was shot in Vidigal with boys from the favela some of whom are now famous actors including Jonathon Haagensen from City of God, City of Men and Broder. The story of the film is of a boy who was picking up money for someone who had dropped it and then was shot by police in a favela. It is based on a true story.