Favela's of Rio

A favela is essentially an area of land that the poor of Brazil have to live on as they can not afford to live anywhere else. The people build their houses one on top of the other up to a height of 4 stories an unofficial limit. The Favela’s up until very recently have not been recognised by the Brazilian government however this is beginning to change.

1 in 3 people in Rio now live in a favela, this sheer number makes it impossible for the government to ever think about demolishing these slums.

We decided to go on an organised tour of the largest and most infamous Favela in Rio, Rochina. This favela houses over 300,000 people.

After meeting our tour guide, who was a 4ft tall part Brazillian /US citizen and well known ‘funk’ DJ who was covered in large tattoos of the actual favela, we headed off into mafia territory!

James made sure on the local kombi van up to the favela that all possible riots and drug wars were not on the cards for the day by making friends with our tour guide. However we were still greeted by a load of young guys on the back of mopeds brandishing machine guns!! Once they concluded that we were not rival Favela mafia spies or the police and had no weapons on us (apart from our camera’s) we headed in.

We were at the total mercy of the mafia now as the police are banned. The favela’s are in essence run by the drug gangs (mafia) they make sure that the police stay away (to avoid prying eyes in to their illicit affairs) and are not attracted to the favela. They do this by ruling with an iron fist and take punishment for crime into their own hands (for example you get shot in the hand if you steal)….Not to be messed with!! Perhaps a good demonstration that having severe punishment for acts retains order something the UK criminal system should take note of does a severe punishment deter the crime?

Anyway, our pre-conception of a favela was one of utter poverty, no form of sanitation, people stealing electricity and generally rubbish everywhere. We were however surprised to find that the houses are well built (by the favela inhabitants- who are often builders), have running water and electricity meters to power their flat screen TV’s….Yes you read correctly, lots of these places are kitted out very nicely inside with all the mod cons such as TV’s! It just happens that the address is in a favela.

Currently the Brazillian government is investing money in to the favela’s to help them, unfortunately the belief in the favela is that this investment is misplaced. The government have built one or two new  blocks of flats for housing people, the problem is to do this they knocked down many pre existing perfectly suitable houses. The feeling is these have been built at the edge of the Favela so the government can show the world for the Olympics and World cup that they care about the poor. The poor living here actually feel investment in sanitation and schools for the children would be better use of this money.

Take a look at our pics. It was such a great day and we would recommend it to anyone!