BALANCING STRUGGLES
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.
Fernanda Viana (40), born and raised in Maré, started at Redes in 2002, as a student of the Pre-College Course, brought by the dream of attending college. At the same time that she left that dream asleep, the challenges and struggles as a woman, professional and mother of three were also what helped her achieve it. These obstacles and concerns made her create alternatives at home with the care of Arthur, Fernanda and Fernando, and joined the Social Work College. The support network she had at home and the help of neighbors made all the difference. Fernanda offers us her visions, currently working on our Right to Public Security and Access to Justice axis.
As soon as the pandemic started in Rio de Janeiro, Fernandinha felt that when the virus arrived in Maré, it would face the absence of public policies for the demands of the territory. So, she had no doubts: she came together to help the campaign 'Maré says NO to Coronavirus'. She worked on several fronts: attending the public at the Maré Arts Center, attending the Maré of Rights, distributing and organizing the logistics of food baskets and hygiene kits, made home visits, collaborated in the organization of the database and, finally, health actions in Maré.
Fernanda found positive and highly sensitive Redes da Maré's initiative to act to alleviate the damage caused by food insecurity. Even though she was born and lived all her life in Maré, this time of working with the campaign made her realize that this moment highlighted the many problems that exist here and the importance of the work for so many people. “My entire life has been permeated by a network of care, which has even guaranteed me survival in many moments. Having this support network is very important for the favela, but when it is also fragile, who assists you? Unfortunately, it was not the State, which should have done it. We did it ourselves”, she commented.
It was a good surprise for Fernanda to be invited to take over the coordination of the testing pole of Conexão Saúde - keeping an eye on Covid, a project carried out in partnership with other organizations. But it was her commitment and strength that made her win this place. At Redes da Maré and at home. She proudly says that now the other Fernandinha, her 12-year-old daughter, draws her attention to many social issues. Arthur Viana, her eldest, is also on this path and integrates the axis as a territorial mobilizer. It is impossible for her to get out of this pandemic just as she entered. She highlighted the perception of how we deal with others. “Looking at each other is different in the pandemic”. Although she is not optimistic about the post-pandemic scenario, she hopes that the feelings of empathy and patience will remain: “that we pass through it and take care of ourselves”.
