DANCING AT A DIFFERENT PACE
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.
Suelem Carvalho (22) is a dancer born in Vila do João. Her interest in dance arose in her childhood, and that was what brought her close to Redes da Maré: a friend recommended her to the classes at Escola Livre de Dança da Maré, that take place at the Maré Arts Center. In 2016, Suelem joined the class at Núcleo 1 (open to residents with continuous workshops in ballroom dance, street dance, contemporary dance, ballet, yoga, body awareness and Afro-Brazilian dances) and, shortly afterwards, she participated in an audition to join Núcleo 2 (technical, professional and artistic classes for young people from Maré).
Early in the pandemic, Suelem volunteered to work on the delivery of food baskets with the campaign 'Maré says NO to Coronavirus'. In addition to the delivery, she worked serving residents, registering and unloading the trucks that arrived with the donations. With the end of deliveries and the creation of Conexão Saúde project, Suelem was invited to participate in the project as a territory communicator, informing residents about the free tests, call center and also the support to families with cases of covid. “The campaign brought us new perspectives, directed us to a different point of view, made us understand the importance of having public policies aimed at the favela,” she said.
Despite participating in Núcleo 2 and having already been a student in the Education for Youth and Adults course at Redes da Maré, she said that the campaign also brought the opportunity to have a larger dimension of the work developed by the organization and her role on it: “it broadened my view that I can, that my body can occupy several places besides dance, and that I can dance in different ways, at a different pace, outside the stage”.
Suelem commented that what marked her the most in this process was the value and importance that the residents gave to the work developed by the team, especially with the delivery of food baskets. “Redes has gained a new dimension, it has placed a seed that will bear unimaginable fruits now and I hope that I am one of those fruits that makes a difference in people's lives”, she adds. “May we have a population that is more aware of the political scenario we are experiencing, knowing the importance of choosing well who to vote for, thinking about the impact that our choices will have on our lives. A population more aware of their place as citizens.” It was what Suelem shared about her expectations for the future and the post-pandemic scenario.
