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Approximately 30 students, part of EBAPE’s Exchange Program, had the opportunity of visiting, on November 22nd, the Santa Marta community (favela), located in Botafogo (Rio). The students, some of whom are studying public policy under Prof. Monica Pinhanez, were very excited at the opportunity of not only seeing first hand a pacified community, but actually learn how some of the social projects are run by its own residents. 

The students and coordinators were met by Sônia Maria, who is a community leader and vocational nurse. The starting point of the visit was to the Family Health Center, which cares for all the residents of the community. In the Center, the students were able to see how residents can benefit from preventive care, provided by three teams of health professionals, which include doctors, vocational nurses and community agents. The group of students then proceeded to the cable car station, where they took the first car up to the level where the “Sewing Ideals” project is located. Sônia Maria introduced the students to the seamstresses of the community, who’ve put together a small garment-making production shop, with beautifully designed, exclusive outfits. Afterwards, the group went to the music project entitled “Social Action through Music,” which aims to empower residents and promote citizenship through music. At the end, the students visited the Santa Marta Pacifying Police Unit (UPP), the first of the UPPs implemented throughout the city of Rio de Janeiro (in 2008), where they had the opportunity to talk to the deputy head of the unit, Captain Andrada. 

The students’ impressions of the visit were very positive. They wholeheartedly supported the initiative by EBAPE’s International Relations Department to show the favelas’ more positive and human aspects. “Despite the many problems of social inequality, there are structures in place and people whose mission is to make the residents of these underprivileged communities easier,” said Armando Belchior Nunes, a Portuguese student, who was very happy to learn that the family health project was inspired by a similar program from Portugal.

Isabella Picón, from Venezuela, was delighted to see that the “Social Action Through Music” project had been initially conceived in her native country and then successfully exported to Brazil. She was very excited at the prospect of exporting the concept of UPPs to Venezuela.

For Marie-Charlotte, from France, to be able to meet key residents of Santa Marta was an excellent idea, as it gave her a different insight into the life of the community.