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Leonardo da Silva

CHANGE OF PATHS AND VIEWS

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.

Leonardo da Silva (35) is a history lover, and he told us his own. Many people's lives have changed a little over the past six months. For Leo, as everyone around here knows, the main change comes when the sun rises and his vision is different, now that he has a house to call his own, after living in street condition for a time. Leo got to know Redes da Maré's work through Espaço Normal. For two years, he has been attending the space, which welcomes people who use alcohol and other drugs, many of whom live on the streets, through an agenda on harm reduction practices. He also participated in the distribution of ‘Maré de Notícias’, when the pandemic began.

At the beginning of the campaign ‘Maré says NO to Coronavirus’, Leo started as a volunteer and went through some fronts of the campaign, unloading cars and trucks and supporting the delivery of food baskets. His first intention was to guarantee a meal in exchange for the work. But “now everything is new”, he told us: “the fact that you don’t wake up with the sunlight on your face makes a big difference.” It has been three months since Leo managed to rent his house, in Teixeira Ribeiro, from the campaign's work. And what marked him the most was that he was received as a 'blessing' by a lady in Vila do Pinheiro, when he arrived with the delivery of a food basket.

Leo´s story is one of many about those who have been working with Redes da Maré and that we will tell here. Follow us, stay tuned and learn more! Get to know our ‘Espaço Normal’ and the ‘Maré de Notícias’ newspaper.

Rio de Janeiro, september 22, 2020.

Photos: Douglas Lopes and Kamilla Camilo