Favela Tour

This morning at 9 AM some of us headed over in a jeep that seats 8 people each, to one of the largest favela's in Rio (160,000 people).

I watched a program on favela's not too long ago, and the one they reported on overlooked an American School, as well as a rich area in Rio. This might be the same favela I went to.

Our tour leader 'Carlos' lives in the favela and he advised us the following:

• 70% of favela's are in the North. 30% in the South, where there are alot more opportunities, yet still more expensive to live there. Why is it that most cities always have that the South is more 'affluent'????


• The people that live in favela's do not pay tax.


• Favela's are cities within cities......this one having 2 banks, community leaders etc.,


• The closer you live to amenities.....such as roads that are serviced by buses, the more you pay in rent.


• The average rental price per month is 250 R (125. oo USD)


• There are many business' in the favela's. They like to spend their money in the community.


• Crime is low...they don't rob from each other.


• This favela has set up a system where each section has church helpers that show up at people's homes when they are sick to make sure they take their medicine. The community tries very hard to stop any potential health epidemics.


• People that live in favela's don't trust the police......very corrupt in their eyes.

I found it quite interesting walking around this favela.

• It didn't smell even though there was garbage in most places.


• The view from some of the roads up top were amazing.


• Walking down the hill to the other roads and yet in alleyways of peoples homes was really different.

I saw a much different view of what was portrayed on TV.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Favela