https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/urban-farming-in-brasiliens-favelas-dieser-garten-rettet-leben-a-25324fc8-6ecd-48d6-bc1a-d4ce5fae5d6cIn the last year, almost everything that leaves there has gone into the community's kitchens, complementing the meals of around 800 families who are crossing the wave of unemployment generated by the pandemic.
Before, the land was home to a large cracolândia where around 200 to 300 drug users circulated, say the residents. Rats, cockroaches and tapurus — larvae that enter the skin — were other inhabitants of the dump. Today, there are children playing in the place.
Employability and self-esteem are two of the pillars. The idea is that these plantations will eventually become self-sustainable and free themselves from the city hall, says Julio. “What moves the project is the result, the production, it is not a welfare program”, he defends.
Before the pandemic, half of the vegetables harvested were given to food-insecure families, nursing homes and day care centers. The other half was sold. Now, everything is being donated.