RESTLESS AND MOBILIZED YOUTH
This is the column Who Makes Redes, a compilation of the stories of people who build our organization and who work hard every day to do what we do best: actions and projects for residents of Maré. Learn about these stories, trajectories, experiences and the history of Redes da Maré itself - and how this work and the challenges faced since the pandemic have transformed them.
Arthur Vianna is a 23 years old man from Maré. He has lived in Nova Holanda for most of his life. The history of Arthur and his family goes through Redes da Maré, including the history of residence: the family lived in the occupation that today is the building of Redes da Maré - "my connection with this place and this institution began even before Redes existed". The restlessness that moves the struggle of so many residents for rights was one of the feelings that moved the young man to also work for this struggle.
Arthur's mother, Fernanda Viana, was also an important reference in the young man's life and work trajectory. The social worker, who currently coordinates the testing center of the project ‘Conexão Saúde’, was a student of Redes da Maré Pre-College Course, and used to take her son to classes when he was still a teenager. Arthur also participated in the 6th Grade Preparatory Course. But it was a result of the articulation of residents, local organizations and neighborhood associations, for the debate and construction of paths for the right to public security that made possible the approach and invitation for him to integrate the axis Right to Public Security and Access to Justice. "Since then it has been a challenge, but mainly an honor to be part of the processes of struggle in such an important agenda," comments Arthur.
From the work with the axis, Arthur highlights the important performance of the Letters From Maré, an action that aimed to charge the judiciary of the State of Rio de Janeiro the resumption of the Public Civil Action of Maré and the strengthening and mobilization of ‘ADPF das Favelas’, in 2019. "There are no words to measure how gratifying it is for a young black man to be occupying these spaces that directly interfere in the lives of people like me."
In the "Maré Says NO to Coronavirus" campaign, Arthur worked on the front line at the Maré Arts Center, a central location in the logistics of the campaign, checking and controlling the loading of cars with food baskets. He also updated the database of supported families, delivered food baskets and hygiene and cleaning kits, conducted social interviews, and supervised the execution of research on the impact of the pandemic on the lives of the residents. "It was challenging, obviously, we had never worked with food security before. But it was rewarding to know that we were being able to reach families that previously didn't see themselves in the scope of the institution," comments the young man. For the post-pandemic, Arthur hopes that the population of Maré will not only be able to increasingly access the opportunities offered by Redes da Maré, but that we will be able to mobilize to demand our rights.
